NOAA Marine Debris Information Forum
April 1-3, 2008; Bethesda, MD
Background | Description | Photos
Background
Marine debris is a global problem that injures and kills marine mammals, interferes with navigational safety, causes economic losses to shipping, fishing, and coastal industries, and poses a threat to human health. Our oceans and waterways are continually polluted with a wide variety of marine debris ranging from soda cans, cigarette butts and plastic bags to derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels.
These are not new concepts to the collective group of presenters and participants that encompass this first Marine Debris Information Forum. These facts exist at the very core of the projects and efforts that will be shared over the course of this week and hopefully in the future as we continue to make connections with others who share a passion to address and eventually abate the problem of marine debris.
Description
The NOAA Marine Debris Program hosted the NOAA Marine Debris Information Forum in April of 2008. This Forum focused on marine debris research, prevention, and reduction projects that have been conducted around the country.
This Information Forum brought together scientists, program managers, and communication specialists from around the country. The forum served as an opportunity for participants to share their valuable work, to have in-depth discussions into marine debris research, prevention and reduction, and to enhance networking and coordination nationwide.
Forum Topic Areas:- Mapping, Identification, and Monitoring
- Marine Debris Removal Techniques
- Marine Debris Impacts
- Marine Debris Prevention
- Marine Debris Emergency Response
- Marine Debris Outreach, Communication, and Coordination
Forum Agenda (pdf, 1kb)
Photos
Diana Watters (NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center) presenting on "Marine Debris in Deepwater Benthic Habitats off California: Is There a Problem?"
Michael Parke (NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center) presenting on "Marine Debris in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and the use of an Unmanned Aerial System."
Jenna Jambeck (University of New Hampshire), Michael Williams (NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center), and Erika Ammann (NOAA AFSC), next to a poster presentation of "Marine Debris in Alaska: Where We Are Now and Planning for the Future."
Shay Viehman (NOAA National Centers for
Coastal Ocean Science) presenting on "Characterization of Marine Debris and Derelict Fishing Gear in Coastal North Carolina Saltmarsh and Underwater Habitats."
