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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program is the United States Government’s lead for addressing the impacts of marine debris on our ocean, waterways, and Great Lakes. We work with organizations around the United States and globally to prevent marine debris from entering the environment, remove it from coastal areas, better understand the problem through research and shoreline monitoring, and respond to debris created by disasters. Learn more about the Marine Debris Program here.
How One Partnership Addressed the Life Cycle of Lost Fishing Gear in the Gulf of Maine
Follow the life cycle of a lost lobster trap, from working gear to marine debris, through recovery, recycling, repurposing, and proper disposal. Learn how collaboration among nonprofit organizations, commercial fishers, state agencies, volunteers, and coastal communities is helping reduce the impacts of marine debris while contributing to a cleaner Gulf of Maine. With support from a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Center for Coastal Studies and partners removed over 2,000,000 pounds of marine debris across the Gulf of Maine, processed and recycled nearly 30,000 lost or retired lobster traps, and worked alongside more than 100 commercial fishers to recover lost and end-of-life fishing gear over three years.
Now Open: The NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest!
Float It, Lift It, Swim It, Fly It: Addressing Large-Scale Marine Debris
The 2027 Marine Debris Calendar is Now Available!In this section, you can find state or region-specific information on current marine debris projects and activities. Marine debris impacts every U.S. coastal state and territory. In order to address it, the NOAA Marine Debris Program positions coordinators around the country to provide local expertise and guidance to marine debris stakeholders.
