Float It, Lift It, Swim It, Fly It: Addressing Large-Scale Marine Debris madison.piascik Tue, 10/06/2026 - 11:48

Some marine debris can be picked up by hand. Some requires cranes, divers, flotation devices, or even helicopters to remove. As the NOAA Marine Debris Program marks its 20th anniversary, we are looking at how our work has evolved to address large-scale marine debris across the country. From lost fishing gear tangled on the seafloor to abandoned vessels and decades-old coastal structures, these projects are anything but straightforward. There are multiple strategies and techniques that our partners use to remove even the most persnickety debris from our marine environment. Investments in these projects support the removal of millions of pounds of marine debris, help communities recover from disasters, improve navigational safety, create jobs, and restore important habitat.

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Tags Large Scale Marine Debris Removal MDP 20 Years removal

Protecting the Living Waters of the Channel Islands from Marine Debris madison.piascik Tue, 07/07/2026 - 11:08

Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary protect some of California’s richest coastal and marine habitats. Keeping these remote islands and surrounding waters free of marine debris requires extensive collaboration among volunteers, conservation organizations, and local lobster fishers who help recover debris from difficult-to-access shorelines. With support from a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is working with Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, Island Packers, Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara, California State University Channel Islands Santa Rosa Island Research Station, and other regional groups to remove large and hard-to-reach marine debris from the Channel Islands. Volunteer cleanup crews have removed over 18,168 pounds of large debris, including lost fishing gear, from the islands so far. More than 150 volunteers have contributed to over 10 cleanups across Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa Islands.

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Tags MDP 20 Years Large Scale Marine Debris Removal removal California

Keeping Puget Sound Clean: 29 Abandoned Boats Removed, Deconstructed, and Recycled madison.piascik Wed, 05/27/2026 - 12:25

The Washington Department of Natural Resources, with 2024 funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program, is removing derelict vessels from the Puget Sound and supporting the prevention of boat abandonment through their voluntary Vessel Turn-In Program. This program provides Washington boat owners with an alternative to abandonment, helping to prevent derelict vessels and associated pollutants from harming state aquatic lands. Focusing on early intervention and empowering boat owners to dispose of unwanted vessels responsibly prevents costly removals later.

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Tags Large Scale Marine Debris Removal Pacific Northwest removal ADVs

A Day in the Life of a Marine Debris Technician in Papahānaumokuākea madison.piascik Wed, 04/22/2026 - 16:31

With support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, NOAA Marine Debris Program, private donors, and small grant foundations, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) continues the legacy large-scale marine debris removal efforts to protect the wildlife and habitats of Papahānaumokuākea. We interviewed PMDP Field Logistics Specialist Lauren Fraser and Lead Marine Debris Technician Max Lee to learn more about their unique and important work. They shared insights on the challenges of removing nets underwater, the protocols and considerations that guide their work in such a culturally significant space, and all of the late-night work that goes into making these missions a success. 

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Tags removal Pacific Islands derelict fishing gear Large Scale Marine Debris Removal NWHI

Extracting Sunken Vessels and Creating Safer Waters in Puerto Rico amanda.r.kippen Mon, 04/20/2026 - 14:07

With support through a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Isla Mar Research Expeditions, LLC., and partners from the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and HJR Reefscaping are removing abandoned and derelict vessels from the waters surrounding Puerto Rico. The 18 vessels removed so far weigh a total of over 130,000 pounds. The project is also supporting 11 jobs, and four new jobs were created. This cleanup effort makes Puerto Rico’s waters and beaches safer for boaters, fishers, and recreational users.

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Tags ADVs Caribbean removal Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

From Discarded Line to Silver Lining: One Sea Turtle’s Survival Story amanda.r.kippen Tue, 03/31/2026 - 17:37

In summer 2025 in southern Biscayne Bay, efforts to remove lost fishing gear led to an unexpected rescue and a second chance for an endangered green sea turtle. With support from a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the College of William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science National TRAP Program, in partnership with the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Services Extension Miami-Dade County Sea Grant Program, led a team to remove abandoned and derelict traps used to catch blue crab, stone crab, and spiny lobster from Biscayne National Park.

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Tags Southeast derelict fishing gear Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

A New Era of Trash Talk? Florida Universities Collaborate to Address Marine Debris madison.piascik Fri, 03/13/2026 - 12:44

When the University of Florida’s Operation TRAP, in partnership with Florida Sea Grant, and St. Andrew and St. Joseph Bays Estuary Program hosted by Florida State University, each independently received NOAA Marine Debris Program funding to remove marine debris (in 2023 and 2024, respectively), the question became not who would win—but how they would work together. To address the threat of urban trash clogging their waterways, both universities are implementing proven interception technologies in their respective communities.

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Tags removal Southeast Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

A Shared Mission for a Cleaner Gulf Coast madison.piascik Thu, 01/08/2026 - 10:40

Communities throughout the Gulf Coast are coming together to clean up their local waters. With support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program, the Gulf of America Alliance (“the Alliance”) is working in coordination with state and local partners on a large-scale, multi-state initiative to remove derelict vessels and restore coastal health and safety. Over the course of four years, vessels are being removed across the Gulf Coast, with recent removals taking place in Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama. 

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Tags ADVs Gulf of America removal Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

The NOAA Marine Debris Program Awards 13 New Projects for Funding madison.piascik Wed, 09/17/2025 - 14:25

Following a highly competitive review process, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce 13 projects awarded for funding under our NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies grant awards for fiscal year 2025. These projects represent an investment of over $26.4 million for marine debris removal focused on two priority areas. The first funding opportunity focused on the removal of large marine debris, such as abandoned and derelict vessels and derelict fishing gear. The second funding opportunity focused on marine debris removal through the deployment and management of proven debris interception technologies.

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Tags funding opportunities removal grants Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

Gearing Up for Summer Removals in Alaska emily.greene Tue, 05/27/2025 - 15:26

Due to Alaska's extreme weather conditions and remote locations, working in the field during the winter in most places is nearly impossible. That means that field activities must happen in a defined “field season,” sometime between April and October for most of the state. Even during the summer season, completing field activities is complex and requires lots of preparation. It’s essential to “gear up” and ensure everything is prepped and planned so that no time is wasted during the short season.

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Tags Alaska Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

Crabbers and Scientists Collaborate to Remove Abandoned Fishing Gear and Protect Blue Crabs Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast madison.piascik Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:33

Commercial crabbers from Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia are collaborating with scientists from Stockton University in New Jersey and the William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) to reduce derelict fishing gear and support the Mid-Atlantic’s productive blue crab fishery.  With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, these two projects help sustain crabbers by providing employment opportunities during the fishing off-season. Crabbers help develop solutions to minimize trap loss, identify and remove lost pots in the water, salvage usable pots, and return costly gear to the commercial crabbing community. The winter crab trap recovery season recently came to a close, and both projects achieved significant milestones. 

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Tags derelict fishing gear derelict crab pots Mid-Atlantic Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards madison.piascik Wed, 01/15/2025 - 16:02

Following a competitive review process, the NOAA Marine Debris Program and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are pleased to announce the five recipients of the 2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund. The awards will go to Alaska, Florida, and Puerto Rico to address impacts from the 2022 hurricane and typhoon seasons, totaling over $6 million in federal funds. Federal funding is supplemented by voluntary grantee matching contributions, bringing the total investment of these marine debris projects to approximately $6.1 million. 

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Tags emergency response funding opportunities removal response Alaska Caribbean Southeast Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

First Round of Projects Announced Under the Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program madison.piascik Mon, 12/09/2024 - 15:35

We are pleased to announce with the William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science 11 new marine debris removal projects under the Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program. These projects represent an investment of $1.4 million to clean our nation's waterways with funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science selected these projects, in coordination with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, through a rigorous and competitive review process. 

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Tags Large Scale Marine Debris Removal derelict fishing gear grants

Working with Tribes to Remove Marine Debris madison.piascik Wed, 11/27/2024 - 11:45

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to collaborate with multiple tribal partners in efforts to remove marine debris from our waterways and support communities that work to reduce the impacts of marine debris on our shores. Through our grant programs, regional action plans, and community-building efforts, the NOAA Marine Debris Program strives to bring together the many groups that work tirelessly to protect our shorelines and ocean. On Native American Heritage Day, in celebration of our tribal partners’ rich ancestral heritage and commitment to stewardship, we are highlighting some active and recently completed projects that partner with or are led by native communities. Learn more about each of the projects, the impacts of marine debris on native communities, and native leadership in coastal restoration. 

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Tags Alaska Large Scale Marine Debris Removal derelict fishing gear derelict crab pots Pacific Northwest Great Lakes removal holiday

The NOAA Marine Debris Program Announces the Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project Nationwide Survey Funded Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law madison.piascik Mon, 10/07/2024 - 14:13

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce the launch of the Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project Nationwide Survey, conducted in partnership with @Orchard (formerly 1stMission), and made possible with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This survey, the first conducted by NOAA at this scale, will establish a scientifically valid assessment of marine debris found on U.S. shorelines, including the continental United States, Caribbean, Alaska, Pacific Islands, and Great Lakes, as well as a longer-term vision for documenting trends. This project represents an investment of over $3.3 million in federal funding for marine debris assessment, and continues the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s commitment to make tangible, beneficial impacts to coastal, marine, and shoreline habitats and communities across the nation. 

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Tags Large Scale Marine Debris Removal monitoring MDMAP

The NOAA Marine Debris Program Recommends 13 New Projects for Funding Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law madison.piascik Thu, 08/29/2024 - 14:05

Following a highly competitive review process, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce 13 projects recommended for funding under our NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies grant awards for Fiscal Year 2024. These projects represent an investment in over $23 million for marine debris removal with funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

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Tags funding opportunities grants removal Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

2024 Community Marine Debris Removal Grant Program Awards in Alaska madison.piascik Thu, 08/29/2024 - 13:53

We are pleased to announce with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Sea Grant seven recommended marine debris removal projects under the 2024 Community Marine Debris Removal Grant Program. These projects represent an investment of $1.2 million for marine debris removal with funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

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Tags funding opportunities grants Alaska removal Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

Two Grant Opportunities Now Open: FY25 Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law madison.piascik Thu, 07/18/2024 - 16:27

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce its Fiscal Year 2025 Notices of Funding Opportunity for both Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. NOAA will award up to $54 million across two competitions to support impactful, large marine debris removal projects, as well as the installation of proven marine debris interception technologies, throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, United States territories, and Freely Associated States. 

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Tags funding opportunities removal grants Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

Special Funding Opportunity: Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program madison.piascik Tue, 06/04/2024 - 15:31

We are pleased to announce with the BoatUS Foundation, a call for applications under the Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program. With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the BoatUS Foundation will award up to $7.5 million in grants to remove abandoned and derelict vessels across coastal and marine areas of the United States. 

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Tags ADVs funding opportunities removal Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

Special Funding Opportunity: Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention Program madison.piascik Mon, 04/15/2024 - 08:07

We are pleased to announce with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, a request for proposals under the Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program. With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science will award up to $1,475,000 in grants to remove derelict fishing traps throughout coastal waterways of the United States while collecting data to prevent future gear loss.

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Tags derelict fishing gear derelict crab pots funding opportunities grants Large Scale Marine Debris Removal