E.C. Hogg, a TRAP program participant, pulls up a derelict crab pot in February 2025. (Photo credit: John Wallace, William & Mary’s VIMS & Batten School).

In This Issue Special Funding Opportunity NOAA Science Seminar Removing Lost Crab Traps Is Helping Map the Chesapeake Bay BoatUS Foundation's Turning the Tide Summit Back to School Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Special Funding Opportunity: Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund

A derelict vessel and associated debris in Steinhatchee, FL after Hurricane Idalia in September 2023 (Photo Credit: NOAA).

With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals under the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund. NFWF will award up to $11 million in grants to support projects that assess and remove marine debris in communities in Florida, Georgia, Guam, North Carolina, and South Carolina impacted by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, Milton, and Typhoon Mawar from 2023-2024 and improve those impacted coastal environments. Full proposals are due on October 21, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT. An informational webinar for potential applicants will be held by NFWF on Thursday, August 20, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT. 

For more information and to register for the webinar, please visit the NFWF website.

Closing the gap on watershed sources and sinks of debris in the Great Lakes

Researchers from the Rochester Institute of Technology removing debris collected from a LittaTrap device installed in a storm drain in Rochester, New York (Photo Credit: NOAA).

On August 18, the NOAA Science Seminar Series will feature research supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. Christy Tyler, Ph.D., and Matthew Hoffman, Ph.D., from the Rochester Institute of Technology will present results on debris input, transport, and degradation in the Lake Ontario watershed. Data was collected using LittaTraps deployed across storm drains in Rochester and Brighton, New York over the course of two years. Tune in to learn more about how stormwater data shows how marine debris enters the Great Lakes. 

Register for the webinar.

How Removing Lost Crab Traps Is Helping Map the Chesapeake Bay

E.C. Hogg (front) and Ralph Bonniville (back), both TRAP participants, gather bathymetric data (Photo credit: John Wallace, William & Mary’s VIMS & Batten School).

A partnership between NOAA, William & Mary's VIMS & Batten School, and Chesapeake Bay crabbers is transforming routine vessel activity, including crab trap removal efforts, into a new source of bathymetric data. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is supporting commercial crabbers with side-scan sonar technology to locate and remove lost and abandoned crab traps. Data collected during those recovery efforts is now helping researchers map and better understand the Chesapeake Bay.  

Learn more about this exciting data partnership.

BoatUS Foundation’s Turning the Tide Summit: Registration is Open

Register for the Turning the Tide Summit hosted by the BoatUS Foundation.

Registration is now open for the Turning the Tide Summit hosted by the BoatUS Foundation on December 6-9, 2026 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The conference will gather environmental agency staff, policymakers, industry leaders, boating enthusiasts, and others to discuss challenges and lessons learned while managing abandoned and derelict vessels and sustainable disposal solutions for boating related waste, including fiberglass and shrink-wrap. This will be a hybrid event with an option for virtual participation.

Register online on the BoatUS Foundation website.

Back to School Season is Here!

Check out the back to school resources.

As you prepare your classroom and check off your back to school shopping list, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has resources for both students and educators to prepare for the school year ahead. Educators can search through over 200 marine debris curricula, activities, and lesson plans. Our online resources are a must-have for this back to school season! 

Check out back to school resources.

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2026

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Volunteers aboard a skiff head towards the shoreline to clean up debris on Santa Rosa Island in the Channel Islands, California (Photo Credit: NOAA Marine Debris Program).

In This Issue 20 Years of Working Together for a Debris-Free Future Industry Voices Support Removal of Abandoned Fishing Gear Protecting the Living Waters of the Channel Islands from Marine Debris Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Many Hands Make Light Work: 20 Years of Working Together for a Debris-Free Future

Jason Philibotte, Director of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, stands near retrieved crab trap debris while on a site visit with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Nationwide TRAP Program (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Twenty years ago, the NOAA Marine Debris Program was established as the U.S. Government’s lead to reduce and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris on our ocean and Great Lakes. Jason Philibotte, Director of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, reflects on the experiences that inspired his commitment to addressing marine debris and the partnerships that have advanced solutions over the past 20 years. He looks back on the program's accomplishments, shares lessons learned from witnessing marine debris impacts firsthand, and considers the work still ahead.

Follow along and celebrate two decades of collaborative action.

Industry Voices Support Removal of Abandoned Fishing Gear

A derelict crab trap is removed from the York River, Virginia (Photo Credit: John Wallace/VIMS).

Firsthand perspectives from industry workers help show how marine debris affects jobs and livelihoods in coastal communities. With support from a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Nationwide Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program is addressing derelict fishing gear across the country. The program removes abandoned fishing traps while collecting data on where and why gear is lost. Through subgrants, the Nationwide TRAP Program supports regional efforts to remove traps and prevent future loss.

Watch the video created by Green Fin Studio, in partnership with VIMS.

Protecting the Living Waters of the Channel Islands from Marine Debris

Volunteers scour the shoreline for marine debris on Santa Rosa Island in the Channel Islands, California (Photo Credit: NOAA Marine Debris Program).

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.

Learn more about cleaning up the Channel Islands.

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2026

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Celebrate National Ocean Month with the NOAA Marine Debris Program (Photo Credit: Andrew Sullivan-Hawkins/ Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

In This Issue June is National Ocean Month Celebrating 20 Years of the NOAA Marine Debris Program One Year of Removing and Preventing TRAPS Across the Nation Puget Sound Boat Owners Turn-In Vessels Now Open: Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog June is National Ocean Month!

An aerial view of Papahānaumokuākea (Photo Credit: Andrew Sullivan-Hawkins/ Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

Celebrate National Ocean Month with the NOAA Marine Debris Program by taking action in your community. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to marine debris, and communities around the country are affected by marine debris in different ways. Beach-side Floridian areas may be concerned with abandoned vessels, while in coastal regions throughout the Northeast, lost fishing gear may be more prevalent. If you live inland, trash in the ocean and Great Lakes may not be directly visible, but your community may still have a role in creating the waste that becomes marine debris. Finding solutions that work locally makes the fight against marine debris more effective. By working together as a community, we can have a larger impact. 

Check out these ideas on how to help!

Celebrating 20 Years of the NOAA Marine Debris Program

A volunteer cleaning up plastic water bottles during the 2016 an International Coastal Cleanup hosted on Kingman Island, Washington D.C. (Photo Credit: NOAA).

This year, the NOAA Marine Debris Program is celebrating its 20th anniversary of cleaning our coasts. As we mark this milestone, we are reflecting on two decades of collaboration, progress, and shared commitment to addressing marine debris across the United States and U.S. Territories. This anniversary also offers an opportunity to recognize our partners, including the entire marine debris community, educators, students, families, and volunteers, whose contributions have helped shape the program’s impact over the past 20 years. We invite you to follow the campaign as we highlight stories from the program over the years, showcase current ongoing efforts, and look ahead to a future where our global ocean and its coasts are free from the impacts of marine debris. 

To follow the campaign, please visit the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.

One Year of Removing and Preventing TRAPS Across the Nation

Fishers participating in Oyster Recovery Partnership’s cleanup efforts pull a hooked derelict crab pot onboard their vessel in Baltimore County, Maryland (Photo Credit: Oyster Recovery Partnership/VIMS).

With support from a 2023 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Nationwide TRAP Program (Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention) is tackling derelict fishing gear across the country. This program detects and removes derelict fishing traps, including lost or abandoned crab and lobster gear, while gathering data to help reduce future loss. From Maryland to Santa Barbara to Florida, teams are identifying, retrieving, and recycling lost traps. In its first year, 11 projects were funded, and the impact is already visible in coastal waterways.

Check out the successes and see the inspiring stories from Round One TRAP teams, captured by Green Fin Studio.

29 Abandoned Boats Removed, Deconstructed, and Recycled from the Puget Sound

Vessels that were voluntarily turned in by their owners awaiting deconstruction and disposal at The Landings at Colony Wharf (Photo Credit: NOAA Marine Debris Program).

The Washington Department of Natural Resources, with 2024 funding from the NOAA 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. 

Learn more about this project and check out a glimpse into the Vessel Turn-In Program.

Now Open: Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest!

Bottlenose dolphin with head and dorsal fin above the water’s surface in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Join NOAA this summer across the National Marine Sanctuary System - from sea to shining sea. Each year, as part of national "Get into Your Sanctuary" summer activities, we invite photographers to share striking images that capture wildlife, seascapes, maritime heritage, and meaningful connections to these special places through our Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest. The contest runs from May 22 to September 7.

Learn more about the contest and submit your entries on the Get In Your Sanctuary website.

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2026

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

An aerial photo of a shoreline of Papahānaumokuākea, picturing a Hawaiian monk seal and a shark in the water (Photo Credit: Andrew Sullivan-Hawkins/ Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

In This Issue Reminder: Partner Funding Opportunity Extracting Sunken Vessels in Puerto Rico A Day in the Life as a Marine Debris Technician Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Reminder: Ocean Conservancy Requests Applications for Large Marine Debris Removal Project

Derelict fishing gear removed during the Boston Harbor Islands Cleanup (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Ocean Conservancy, with support provided by a 2024 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, requests applications for their Large Marine Debris Removal Project for the removal of large marine debris, including derelict fishing gear, from remote and hard-to-reach marine environments, including the Great Lakes. Successful projects will remove, prevent, and monitor large marine debris and derelict fishing gear that is too difficult to remove by hand due to its size, volume, or location.

Applications are due on May 31, 2026 by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Learn more on Ocean Conservancy’s Large Marine Debris Removal Project’s website.

Extracting Sunken Vessels and Creating Safer Waters in Puerto Rico

A sailboat is removed from waters off the coast of Lajas, Puerto Rico using float bags and a towboat (Photo Credit: Luis Ramirez/Reel-E-Good Sea Service Corp).

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.

Learn more about the methods for removing these sunken vessels.

A Day in the Life of a Marine Debris Technician in Papahānaumokuākea

The 2025 PMDP team gathers for a group shot before leaving to carry out their plan of the day on small boats. (Photo Credit: Andrew Sullivan-Hawkins/ Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

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. 

From sunrise to sunset, this is a typical day in the life of a PMDP marine debris technician.

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2026

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

“Oscar” the green sea turtle resting after being disentangled from an abandoned crab trap buoy, FWC Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024 (Photo Credit: Ana Zangroniz).

In This Issue Partner Funding Opportunity Florida Universities Collaborating Strengthening Stewardship in California One Sea Turtle's Survival Story Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Ocean Conservancy Requests Applications for Large Marine Debris Removal Project

Derelict fishing nets litter the wrack line on Ankau Beach in Yakutat, Alaska (Photo Credit: Hava Rohloff/Ocean Conservancy).

Ocean Conservancy, with support provided by a 2024 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, requests applications for their Large Marine Debris Removal Project for the removal of large marine debris, including derelict fishing gear, from remote and hard-to-reach marine environments, including the Great Lakes. Successful projects will remove, prevent, and monitor large marine debris and derelict fishing gear that is too difficult to remove by hand due to its size, volume, or location.

Applications are due on May 31, 2026 by 5:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

Learn more on Ocean Conservancy’s Large Marine Debris Removal Project’s website.

Florida Universities Collaborate to Address Marine Debris

A truck bed liner, among other debris, is captured in Bear Creek by a litter boom installed by the University of Florida’s Operation TRAP team in Pasco County, Florida (Photo Credit: Water Warrior Alliance).

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 programs are implementing proven interception technologies in their respective communities.

Learn more about these projects.

Strengthening Stewardship in California Communities

A group of volunteers that participated in a community cleanup in Jack London Aquatic Center, Estuary Park, and the waters and shorelines of the Oakland Estuary (Photo Credit: Bénédicte Lassalle Photography).

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program through a 2024 award to the City of Oakland, I Heart Oakland Alameda Estuary led a community cleanup in January 2026 to remove marine debris from local shorelines and waterways. A total of 152 volunteers, including 35 paddlers, removed 5,660 pounds of debris from Jack London Aquatic Center, Estuary Park, and the waters and shorelines of the Oakland Estuary. It was a true example of teamwork, with local businesses and clubs contributing volunteer time, incentives, gear for getting on the water, and more.

Learn more about this project.

From Discarded Line to Silver Lining: One Sea Turtle’s Survival Story

Ana Zangroniz sits on a boat with the green sea turtle, nicknamed “Oscar,” rescued from fishing gear in Biscayne Bay, FWC Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024 (Photo Credit: Frank Reyes).

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, Removal, Assessment, and Prevention 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. Note: It is illegal to handle sea turtles without a permit. This rescue was conducted under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Marine Turtle Permit MTP-25-024. If you see a sea turtle in distress in Florida waters, call FWC at 1-888-404-3922.

Learn more about the removal efforts in Florida.

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2026

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Pieces of abandoned and derelict vessels are loaded onto the barge and sorted by removal crews for disposal (Photo Credit: MD Thomas Construction, LLC).

In This Issue Partner Funding Opportunity Marine Debris Foundation Announces Partnership A Cleaner Gulf Coast Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Winners Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Partner Funding Opportunity: Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program

Lost crab traps from the blue crab fishery are retrieved from the York River in Virginia (Photo Credit: John Wallace, Virginia Institute of Marine Science).

With 2022 and 2023 funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Center for Coastal Resources Management at William and Mary’s Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science is seeking applications for 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. Projects may range from $50,000 to $150,000. Projects throughout the coastal United States, including United States territories and Freely Associated States, are eligible for consideration. 

Proposals are due on March 31, 2026 by 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). 

For more information on the application process, visit the William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science website.

Marine Debris Foundation Announces Public-Private Partnership with Funding from NOAA Marine Debris Program

Learn more about the Marine Debris Foundation (Photo Credit: Marine Debris Foundation).

In January 2026, the Marine Debris Foundation announced an award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program to support a five-year partnership to accelerate solutions and remove, reduce, and prevent marine debris in the United States. This funding will support innovative programs and match private donations, furthering transformative possibilities for solving the global marine debris problem. 

Learn more about this partnership.

A Shared Mission for a Cleaner Gulf Coast

A derelict vessel near Galveston, Texas is hoisted onto a platform for removal (Photo Credit: Gulf of America Alliance).

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program through a 2023 award, the Gulf of America 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. Vessels are being removed across the Gulf Coast, including more than 582,000 pounds of debris already removed in Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Learn more about this project.

2025 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest Winners

Check out all of the winners of the 2025 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest (Photo Credit: Gabriel Jense via NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries).

The NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries announced the 2025 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest winners! From Washington state to the Gulf of America and from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Islands, the National Marine Sanctuary System protects 18 underwater parks spanning over 629,000 square miles of ocean and Great Lakes waters. Check out the winning photographs that capture the beauty of the National Marine Sanctuary System! 

See the winning photographs.

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2026

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Artwork by Mila W. (Grade 5, Pennsylvania), winner of the 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

In This Issue 2026 Marine Debris Calendar Now Available Vessel Removed from California Tips to Reduce Waste in 2026 Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog The 2026 Marine Debris Calendar is Now Available!

Artwork by Aaliyah R. M. (Grade 8, Puerto Rico), winner of the 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce that our 2026 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! Our art contest aims to get students thinking about how marine debris impacts our ocean and Great Lakes, and what they can do to help. This year’s calendar features artwork from 13 students in grades one through eight, representing seven states and three U.S. territories. All are winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest. 

Check out the 2026 Marine Debris Calendar on our website!

Derelict Vessel Removed from California Coastline

The Verna A II that was removed from Salmon Creek State Beach on California’s Sonoma Coast in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (Photo Credit: NOAA).

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation removed the Verna A II from Salmon Creek State Beach on California’s Sonoma Coast in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Battered by high surf and dramatic tides, the 54-foot derelict vessel had broken into large, hazardous pieces, plaguing the intertidal zone. Parker Diving Service, the vessel retrieval and cleanup company, had a brief window of opportunity when the tides were low and winds were favorable to complete the operation. This removal was carried out in partnership with California State Parks and the Greater Farrallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries.

Learn more about this removal.

Tips to Reduce Waste in 2026

Some stores offer shoppers the option of using their own containers. This reduces the amount of single-use plastic packaging that many food and grocery products usually come in (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Is it your goal to reduce waste in 2026? Here are a few ideas to get you started! Practicing waste reduction at home builds a strong foundation for reducing waste in our everyday lives. While spending more time at home this winter, we can examine our daily habits and think about the ways we can reduce our personal waste. Marine debris is a human-made problem, which ultimately means that we are the solution. 

Learn more about how to reduce your waste.

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2026

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Osprey, a partner of grantee Pontchartrain Conservancy, uses a litter trap to catch water-borne trash in a municipal canal before it reaches Lake Pontchartrain (Photo Credit: Pontchartrain Conservancy).

In This Issue New Projects Awarded for Funding Art Contest Winners Vessel Removed from Puget Sound Beware of Ghost Gear this Halloween Vessels Removed from Washington D.C. Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog New Projects Awarded for Funding

Contractors remove a 55-foot sunken yacht near Hart Island, Bronx (Photo Credit: Daniel Avila, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce 13 new projects awarded for funding under our NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies award competitions. These projects represent an investment in over $26.4 million for marine debris removal. The projects awarded under these nationwide competitive funding opportunities continue the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s commitment to benefit the American economy, local communities, and coastal and marine habitats across the nation.

Learn more about this year’s recommended projects.

VIMS Announces 13 New Projects Under the Nationwide TRAP Program

Divers utilize lift bags to extract ghost traps otherwise inaccessible from the surface (Photo Credit: National Marine Sanctuary Foundation).

The William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), in partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, announced 13 new marine debris removal projects under the Nationwide Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program. These projects represent an investment of over $1.8 million for removal of derelict fishing traps with funds provided by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. The projects will remove derelict traps in California, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington.

Learn about the projects.

Congratulations to Our Art Contest Winners!

Artwork by Aaron M. (Grade 8, Virginia), winner of the 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

We are pleased to announce the winners of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest! We received many colorful, creative, and informative entries from around the country, and although we wish we could showcase them all, we are excited to share the winners of this year’s contest with you. The winning artwork will be featured in a 2026 calendar, which will help to remind us every day of the importance of being responsible stewards of the ocean. Thank you to all the students and schools that participated in this year’s contest! 

Check out all of the winning artwork on our website.

14 Derelict Vessels Removed from Washington’s Puget Sound

A derelict vessel removed from Squaxin Island Tribes' Squaxin Island, carried over Budd Inlet in Olympia, Washington (Photo Credit: Washington State Department of Natural Resources).

Washington State Department of Natural Resources Derelict Vessel Removal Program, with support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program and in partnership with the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Port of Olympia, airlifted 14 abandoned vessels via helicopter from the shoreline of Squaxin Island in Washington’s Puget Sound. Washed up boats damage the shoreline and sensitive island habitats, creating navigational and safety hazards and hindering important Tribal activities. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources deployed their wildfire aviation team and helicopters to fly the boats from the island to the mainland for recycling and disposal.

Learn more about these vessel removals.

13 Vessels Removed from Communities Around Washington D.C.

Caption: The Kathleen is being towed on the hip in this photo of her removal from the marina (Photo Credit: Anacostia Riverkeeper).

Communities around Washington, D.C. are working to improve navigation and habitat in the Anacostia River by removing abandoned and derelict vessels. Thanks to funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Anacostia Riverkeeper are working to remove 28 vessels over four years. They've already removed 13 vessels in just the first six months!

Learn more about how this project benefits the community.

Intercepting Debris from Drains Across Rochester, New York

The team at the Rochester Institute of Technology collects trash caught by an interception device placed in a storm drain in Rochester, New York (Photo Credit: Traci Westcott, RIT).

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Rochester Institute of Technology is partnering with Monroe County, New York to install litter catchment devices in storm drains across Rochester, New York. These devices act as strainers that capture debris before it can flow downstream, where it clogs stormwater pipes, creates safety hazards, and pollutes local waterways. Partners are using computer models and community input to gather information about litter hotspots and then strategically placing 50 of these devices across the city.

Learn more about how this project improves water quality.

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2025

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

 Plastic beverage bottles collected during the Boston Harbor Islands Cleanup, a weeklong cleanup removing decades of accumulated debris from the shores of five islands in outer Boston Harbor (Photo Credit: Center for Coastal Studies).

In This Issue New Alaska Marine Debris Action Plan Released The Great Boston Harbor Islands Cleanup Results Vessel Removals Allow for Safe Naval Operations Collaborating to Remove Derelict Fishing Gear  BoatUS Foundation Announces 10 New Projects Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog New Alaska Marine Debris Action Plan Released

Check out the full Action Plan!

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to share the Alaska Marine Debris Action Plan (Action Plan). This document is the result of a collaborative effort between the NOAA Marine Debris Program and partners across Alaska, including federal, state, and local governments; nongovernmental organizations; industry; academia; and Alaska Native Communities. It represents a partner-led effort to guide marine debris progress across the state. This Action Plan is a tool that can promote increased awareness across the growing Alaska marine debris community, leading to wider collaboration and coordination. It will also help to frame the challenges associated with resource and logistical limitations and identify effective activities, projects, or initiatives.

Check out the new Action Plan.

The Great Boston Harbor Islands Cleanup Results

Volunteers sorting marine debris items collected during the Great Boston Harbor Islands Cleanup (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Through a collaborative effort, the Center for Coastal Studies, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the National Park Service, and Boston Harbor Now organized the Great Boston Harbor Islands Cleanup. This unique partnership removed over 47,000 pounds of marine debris from five islands in Boston Harbor. With support in part from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the partners surveyed the islands for debris hotspots, recruited volunteers, arranged accommodations, and coordinated vessels that hauled the debris, crew, and supplies between the islands and the mainland. Volunteers removed 2,000 pounds of scrap metal, 400 pounds of plastic bottles, and over 2,000 pounds of plastic foam pieces. This cleanup effort supports safe shorelines for local tourism and healthy habitats for wildlife.

Learn more about this project.

Vessel Removals Allow for Safe Naval Operations

Lynnhaven River NOW removed a trawler jammed into a culvert that was impeding Navy operations in Willoughby Bay, Virginia (Photo Credit: Lynnhaven River NOW).

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Virginia-based nonprofit Lynnhaven River NOW began their Broken Down Boats Removal Program this summer. Their goal is to remove up to 100 abandoned and derelict vessels throughout Virginia’s coastal zone. From a long list of boats identified and managed by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Lynnhaven River NOW first targeted two vessels that blocked important operations near the shores of Naval Station Norfolk in Willoughby Bay. The team removed a sunken sailboat with its mast sticking out of the water as well as a sunken vessel that was jammed into a tidal culvert. These vessels created safety risks and presented navigational hazards for boaters and Navy helicopters. Additional removals in Willoughby Bay will continue throughout the summer before the team moves on to other coastal communities in Virginia.

Learn more about this project.

Collaborating to Remove Derelict Fishing Gear

Derelict fishing traps removed from the water by local fishers during their offseason (Photo Credit: Conservación ConCiencia).

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, The Ocean Foundation is partnering with Conservación ConCiencia to employ local fishers during their offseason to remove abandoned, lost, and derelict fishing gear from their fishing grounds in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, specifically St. Croix. Lost fishing gear is a concern for coastal communities because gear left in the water will continue to capture marine animals and deplete harvestable seafood resources, become entangled in active traps, and create hazards for fishers and boaters. Since April, Conservación ConCiencia has hired 17 fishers and, together, they have removed over 32,000 pounds of lost traps. This project supports a successful commercial fishing industry, protects sensitive ecosystems, reduces the likelihood of debris reaccumulation in the future, and provides alternative income opportunities for commercial fishers in the offseason.

Learn more about this project.

The BoatUS Foundation Announces 10 New Projects Under the Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program

This hidden cove adjacent to Roque Bluffs State Park, Maine, which has been used as a local dumping ground for end-of-life commercial vessels for years, will have ADVs removed as part of a groundbreaking removal program (Photo Credit: John Noll, State of Maine).

We are pleased to announce, in partnership with the BoatUS Foundation, 10 new marine debris removal projects under the Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program. These projects represent an investment of nearly $7.4 million for removal of abandoned and derelict vessels with funds provided by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. The projects will remove derelict vessels in Alaska, Guam, Louisiana, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, Washington, and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Learn more about these projects.

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2025

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

A longtime sunken vessel in a marsh in North Carolina (Photo Credit: North Carolina Coastal Federation).

In This Issue Crabbers Remove Abandoned Fishing Gear Alaska Partners "Gear Up" World Environment Day World Ocean Day  Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Crabbers and Scientists Collaborate to Remove Abandoned Fishing Gear

Blue crabs are caught in a derelict crab trap pulled from the York River in Virginia. Derelict fishing gear can continue to trap and kill animals (Photo Credit: William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science).

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 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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Alaska Partners “Gear Up” for Summer Removals

Derelict fishing gear on the shoreline in Hallo Bay, Alaska (Photo Credit: NOAA).

The 2025 field season is shaping up to be busy for marine debris removal in Alaska. Groups around the state are heading to remote beaches to remove as much debris as possible, leaving cleaner and healthier beaches at the end of the season. Due to Alaska's extreme weather conditions and remote locations, working in the field during the winter is nearly impossible. That means that all field activities must happen between April and October. 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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World Environment Day is June 5

A plastic hair tie found in Antarctica (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Our trash has been found in every corner of our ocean, from the most remote shorelines, to ice in the Arctic, and even the deepest parts of the sea floor. It also impacts our Great Lakes and waterways. Anything human-made and solid can become marine debris once it is lost or littered in these aquatic environments. On World Environment Day, learn more about marine debris and how to be a part of the solution. 

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World Ocean Day is June 8

Overview of Kuaihelani (Photo Credit: Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

Celebrate World Ocean Day with the NOAA Marine Debris Program by taking action in your community. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to marine debris, and communities around the country are affected by marine debris in different ways. Beach-side Floridian communities may be concerned with abandoned vessels, while in coastal communities throughout the Northeast, lost fishing gear may be more prevalent. If you live inland, trash in the ocean and Great Lakes may not be directly visible, but your community may still have a role in creating the waste that becomes marine debris. Finding solutions that work for your community makes the fight against marine debris more effective. By working together as a community, we can have a larger impact. Check out these ideas on how to help!

Learn More

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2025

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Volunteers working to remove dozens of battered lobster traps washed ashore on Great Brewster Island from the brush (Photo Credit: NOAA).

In This Issue Barge Removal in Rhode Island California Vessel Retrieval Lake Superior Community Cleanup Results Scouting for Clean Waterways  Removal Missions in Papahānaumokuākea Prepare for Hurricane Season Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Barge Removal Benefits the Providence River

The sunken crane-topped barge being prepared for its extraction in January 2025 (Photo Credit: Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management).

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management completed the removal of a sunken crane-topped barge from the Providence River in Rhode Island. The 114 foot-long steel-hulled barge sat on the river bottom since 2017, hindering navigation, limiting recreational and economic activities for the neighboring residents and community, and presenting concerns about potential long-term pollution impacts. Retrieved material from the barge is being repurposed into an art installation by The Steel Yard. The riverfront has a new clean view of the horizon without this eyesore!

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California Coast Vessel Retrieval Completed

Verna A II vessel at Salmon Creek State Beach in Sonoma, California (Photo Credit: NOAA).

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, California State Parks, and the Greater Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries removed the Verna A II from Salmon Creek State Beach on California’s Sonoma Coast in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Battered by high surf and dramatic tides, the 54-foot derelict vessel broke into large, hazardous pieces, plaguing the intertidal zone. Parking Diving Service, the vessel retrieval and cleanup company, used three excavators and faced 16-foot surf to drag the unwieldy boat remains from the public shoreline to recycle and discard – no easy feat. This successful removal is great news for beach users and wildlife alike. 

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Lake Superior Community’s Cleanups Results

Volunteer divers and field crew recover large tires from Lake Superior (Photo Credit: Superior Watershed Partnership).

Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP), with support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, removed over 24,000 pounds of marine debris from historic industrial sites, commercial fishing waterfronts, and tribal communities along Lake Superior’s northern shore. Superior Watershed Partnership led removal events in cooperation with project partners from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, Bay Mills Indian Community, City of Marquette, and over 300 community volunteers. Volunteers conducted over 76 shoreline marine debris surveys at 47 sites, covering more than 200 miles of Lake Superior coastline. Data on 1,686 marine debris items was entered into the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project’s database. 

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Scouting for Clean Waterways Across the Nation

Scouts participate in a beach cleanup (Photo Credit: Scouting America).

This spring, we established our partnership with Scouting America for an ongoing initiative called Scouting for Clean Waterways. Alongside the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to support Scouts of all ages to address the growing issue of marine debris. Together with the help of everyone from Cub Scouts to Eagle Scouts - we will continue to clean up our waterways, shorelines, and communities nationwide. Read more about this new project!

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Removal Missions Start in Papahānaumokuākea

Derelict fishing gear can drag over coral reefs, causing mass destruction (Photo Credit: Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) completed their first mission of 2025 in Papahānaumokuākea. The team set out to remove debris from the waters and shores of Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll, Pihemanu). The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project team is working diligently to solve the problem of marine debris within Papahānaumokuākea, one of the planet's largest fully protected marine conservation areas. To date, the team has removed over one million pounds of debris from this remote area. During PMDP’s mission to Kuaihelani, they removed over 50,000 pounds of plastics, nets, buoys and even boats from the island's shores and waters. This mission is the first of three in the 2025 season. 

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Resources to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Check out all available Emergency Response Guides!

Hurricane season begins June 1st, and we have resources to help our coastal communities better prepare for and respond to a hurricane’s debris impacts. The United States Emergency Response Guide is a nationwide resource designed for emergency responders, to improve response and recovery operations following any natural disaster or event that generates large amounts of marine debris. This document outlines existing response structures and agency authorities at the federal level to serve as a reference for all U.S. states and territories and support regional and national planning efforts. The Guide seeks to capture the most likely response structures and actions at the federal level, with the understanding that state and local agency involvement is a critical component of an effective response. Additional state and U.S. territory specific Guides can be found here.

Learn More

 

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response and Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA  2025

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Stacks of derelict crab traps collected from the Chesapeake Bay as part of the Virginia Marine Debris Removal Program (Photo Credit: Center for Coastal Resources Management).

In This Issue New Projects Announced Under the Nationwide Trap Program Growing Stewards of the Coastline New Year, New Goals, Less Waste Celebrate MLK Service Day Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

NOAA Fisheries Annual Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Art Contest

The 2025 HMS art contest will highlight swordfish and billfish found in the Atlantic Ocean, such as North Atlantic swordfish, Atlantic blue marlin, Atlantic white marlin, longbill spearfish, roundscale spearfish, and sailfish. Details on entry requirements, submissions, winning artwork, and more can be found on the HMS Art Contest website. All entries must be submitted by mail (postmarked) or electronically no later than January 31, 2025. The winning artwork will be featured in a 2026 Atlantic swordfish and billfish calendar. Email nmfs.hms.artcontest@noaa.gov with any questions. 

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog First Round of Projects Announced Under the Nationwide TRAP Program

Stacks of derelict crab traps collected from the Chesapeake Bay as part of the Virginia Marine Debris Removal Program (Photo Credit: Center for Coastal Resources Management).

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. These new projects will remove derelict fishing traps from coastal waterways to support fishing communities and economies while collecting data to prevent future gear loss.

Learn More

Growing Stewards of the Coastline: One Cool Earth’s Journey with Local Students

Green Teams at local San Luis Obispo County schools are empowered to live a more sustainable lifestyle (Photo Credit: One Cool Earth).

In San Luis Obispo County, California, protecting our creeks and coastlines is a shared responsibility. The estuary, teeming with life and natural beauty, faces growing threats from pollutants that enter through creeks and rivers, impacting the delicate ecosystems that depend on clean waters. One Cool Earth wanted to help tackle these concerns. With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, One Cool Earth brought marine debris education into local schools, aiming to empower students to see how their choices affect our watershed and why it’s worth protecting.

Learn More

New Year, New Goals, Less Waste

Whenever possible, use a reusable bag and your own containers when you shop! (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Happy New Year! Did you make any goals or resolutions for the upcoming year? Here at the Marine Debris Program, we are striving to reduce the amount of waste we produce annually. The EPA estimates that, on average, Americans generate 4.4 pounds of waste per person per day. The good news is that because we are the problem, we can be the solution too. Check out our blog for five simple ways you can resolve to reduce waste this year!

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Celebrate MLK Service Day by Joining a Shoreline Cleanup

Learn more about how you can lead your own community cleanup (Photo Credit: InsideCreativeHouse via Adobe Stock).

January 20th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Service Event and let’s remember that it’s not just a day off from work and school, but a day to think about Martin Luther King, Jr. and what he did for our country. To commemorate a great man who spent his life serving others, this day has become a time to come together to give back to our communities and volunteer our time to a good cause. If you’d like to participate in Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Day, consider joining a cleanup in your area. Cleaning up your local shoreline or even just your neighborhood can help prevent trash from becoming marine debris and can help to create a healthy ocean that we can all enjoy.

Learn More

 

NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2025

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Derelict fishing gear covering a coral reef structure in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Photo Credit: Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

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In This Issue Art Contest Working with Tribes Get the SciScoop Upcoming Webinar Guide to a Greener Holiday Corals Week New Animated Series: Teek and Tom Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

NOAA Fisheries Annual Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Art Contest

The 2025 HMS art contest will highlight swordfish and billfish found in the Atlantic Ocean, such as North Atlantic swordfish, Atlantic blue marlin, Atlantic white marlin, longbill spearfish, roundscale spearfish, and sailfish. Details on entry requirements, submissions, winning artwork, and more can be found on the HMS Art Contest website. All entries must be submitted by mail (postmarked) or electronically no later than January 31, 2025. The winning artwork will be featured in a 2026 Atlantic swordfish and billfish calendar. Email nmfs.hms.artcontest@noaa.gov with any questions. 

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog The Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest

Artwork by Sahini K. (Grade 6, Florida), winner of the annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

There is still time to submit artwork for this year’s NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest! Students in grades K-8 from the United States and U.S. territories can submit their artwork now through December 13th. Enter today and you could see your artwork featured in our 2026 Marine Debris Calendar! So get crafty, get creative, and help us raise awareness about marine debris.

Learn More

Working with Tribes to Remove Marine Debris

The removal of the old Interstate-90 floating bridge that has been in Neah Bay, Washington since the 1990s (Photo Credit: Howard Shack of Toolbox Pictures).

We are 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. We highlighted 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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Get the SciScoop!

Sign up to receive updates from our new science newsletter, SciScoop (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Looking to keep up with research activities of the NOAA Marine Debris Program? Check out our new science newsletter, SciScoop! This newsletter features activities and project highlights from the NOAA Marine Debris Program team, including final results from funded research and recent publications, and participation in various workshops and conferences. 

Sign up to get the scoop

Upcoming Webinar: Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions for Marine Debris (TIPS)

Derelict fishing gear covering a coral reef structure in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Photo Credit: Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

Help us “reel in the problem” and tackle abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear at our next webinar: From Gear to Ghost: Reeling in the Problem on December 10, 2024 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. This TIPS webinar will feature presentations from various organizations that engage in abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear mitigation efforts. Presenters will speak about prevention, removal, and research initiatives aimed to "reel in the problem" of this type of marine debris. Register for the upcoming webinar and catch up on previous recordings on our website.

Learn More

Guide To A Greener Holiday: Debris-Free Gift Guide

Presents wrapped in pillowcases and ribbon underneath a Christmas tree (Photo Credit: NOAA).

‘Tis the season of giving! Gift wrapping, shipping packaging, and gifts themselves often result in large sums of waste that can end up in our oceans and Great Lakes. This holiday season, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has thought of everyone on your list for a debris-free gift exchange. We hope that these ideas spark creativity for the friends and family you’re shopping for this year! Many of these gift ideas can be personalized without creating marine debris and tailored to anyone special in your life. As you make your list, and check it twice, this Debris-Free Gift Guide will make your holidays greener! 

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Corals Week is December 9-13

Derelict fishing gear covering a coral reef structure in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Photo Credit: Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

You don’t need to live near coral reefs to impact them. When your trash becomes marine debris, it can travel great distances and threaten corals in Florida, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands. Derelict fishing gear, abandoned derelict vessels, common trash, and microplastics have the potential to travel through the ocean on currents and destroy coral reefs. You can help protect coral reefs by working to reduce waste in your daily life! 

Learn More

New Video Series: Teek and Tom Explore Planet Earth

Watch the new NOAA animated series, Teek and Tom Explore Planet Earth (Photo Credit: NOAA).

A new NOAA series will help students explore the Earth’s climate! Join intrepid student explorer Teek from planet Queloz and NOAA scientist Tom Di Liberto as they explore how the ocean influences weather and climate on Earth, and the technologies scientists use to gather information about our planet. This dynamic five-part animated series is accessible and entertaining for kids and science enthusiasts of all ages. Each episode is supplemented by two educator-ready standards-aligned lessons for students in the fourth through sixth grades. The lessons support the videos in telling a cohesive story about key Earth systems and how those systems impact each other. Through the exploration of NOAA data, visualizations, and other content, students will learn how the ocean-weather-climate connection makes the planet tick.

Learn More

 

NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2024

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Artwork by Sahini K. (Grade 6, Florida), winner of the annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest. 

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In This Issue Special Funding Opportunity Nationwide Survey Now Open: Art Contest Upcoming Webinar Latino Conservation Week Community Cleans Derelict Crab Pots Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Special Funding Opportunity: Fiscal Year 2025 Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Prevention Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Educator Workshop in July 2024 (Photo Credit: NOAA).

There is still time to submit a Request for Proposals for the Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Prevention Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA). With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will award 10-15 grants, totaling up to $100,000 for this funding competition. Individual awards will range between $5,000 and $10,000 to support initiatives that prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris in communities that are underserved, underrepresented, or overburdened by marine debris. These projects may include marine debris prevention, education, and outreach activities. Full proposals are due on November 20, 2024 by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.

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NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project Nationwide Survey Funded Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Public participants in NOAA’s Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project sort debris items and record data at Nukoli’i Beach, Hawai’i (Photo Credit: K Stock, Kauai Surfrider).

We are proud to announce the launch of the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project Nationwide Survey. This one-year survey will be conducted in partnership with 1stMission LLC and represents an investment of over $3.3 million in federal funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It will establish a scientifically valid baseline assessment of marine debris found on U.S. shorelines, including the continental U.S., Caribbean, Alaska, Pacific Islands, and Great Lakes, as well as a longer-term vision for documenting trends. 

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Now Open: The Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest

Artwork by Sahini K. (Grade 6, Florida), winner of the annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

Are you a student or teacher who’s passionate about marine debris? Then get your art supplies ready, because this year’s NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest is officially open! Students in grades K-8 from the United States and U.S. territories can submit their artwork now through December 13th. Enter today and you could see your artwork featured in our 2026 Marine Debris Calendar! So get crafty, get creative, and help us raise awareness about marine debris.

Learn More

Upcoming Webinar: Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions for Marine Debris (TIPS)

Raimundo Espinoza, the Executive Director of Conservación ConCiencia will be presenting at the next TIPS webinar (Photo Credit: Conservación ConCiencia).

Help us “reel in the problem” and tackle abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) at our next webinar: From Gear to Ghost: Reeling in the Problem on December 10, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This TIPS webinar will feature presentations from various organizations that engage in ALDFG mitigation efforts. Presenters will speak about prevention, removal, and research initiatives aimed to "reel in the problem" of ALDFG. Register for the upcoming webinar and catch up on previous recordings on our website.

Learn More

Un Viaje por los Humedales: Celebrating Latino Conservation Week with San Diego Bird Alliance

A fantastic and successful Latino Conservation Week celebration (Credit: San Diego Bird Alliance).

With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program and National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, San Diego Bird Alliance (SDBA) hosted a celebration that showcased San Diego’s rich biodiversity and the importance of coastal wetlands, and emphasized the importance of collaboration to protect our environment. The event brought  the community to the tidal wetlands habitats to share and learn about the species that live there and how they need protection and space to live and thrive. In celebration of their work and the local community, SDBA hosted "Un Viaje por los Humedales,” or “Journey through the Wetlands,” as part of their 5th annual Latino Conservation Week (LCW).

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Innerspace Exploration Leads Community Efforts to Clean Up Derelict Crab Pots

The team removed 449 crab pots from Sequim and Discovery Bay (Credit: Innerspace Exploration).

Dungeness Crab are an essential asset to the North Olympic Peninsula, ecologically, economically, and culturally. A side-effect of the beloved fishery is gear loss and bycatch, in Washington State an estimated 120,000 crab pots are deployed annually and there is an estimated gear loss of 10%. In response, Innerspace Exploration partnered with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Clallam and Jefferson County Marine Resources Committees, the Fiero Marine Science Center, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, the North Olympic Chapter of the Puget Sound Anglers, and many other community partners on the Sequim & Discovery Bay Derelict Crab Pot Removal project. This effort focused on documenting and removing pots from both Discovery and Sequim Bay in Washington.

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NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2024

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Artwork by Lola K. (Grade 5, Hawai'i), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

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In This Issue Special Funding Opportunity Funding Opportunity 2025 Marine Debris Calendar Guam Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide Upcoming Webinar New Podcast Marine Debris Education Materials Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Special Funding Opportunity: Fiscal Year 2025 Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Prevention Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility

The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Educator Workshop in July 2024 (Photo Credit: NOAA).

We are pleased to announce, with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, a Request for Proposals for the Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Prevention Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility (DEIJA). With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation will award 10-15 grants, totaling up to $100,000 for this funding competition. Individual awards will range between $5,000 and $10,000 to support initiatives that prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris in communities that are underserved, underrepresented, or overburdened by marine debris. These projects may include marine debris prevention, education, and outreach activities.

Learn More

Funding Opportunity: Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

An abandoned and derelict vessel submerged in a waterway after a hurricane (Photo Credit: NOAA).

We are still accepting Letters of Intent for two Fiscal Year 2025 Notices of Funding Opportunity for both Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $54 million across two funding opportunities:

Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Removal under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Letters of Intent deadline extended for applicants impacted by Hurricane Helene until October 4, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Affected applicants unable to meet this new deadline may reach out to grants.marinedebris@noaa.gov. Applicant resources are available here.

Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Letters of Intent due on October 09, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicant resources are available here.

Learn More

The 2025 Marine Debris Calendar is Now Available!

Download the 2025 Marine Debris Calendar on our website now! (Cover art by Juhwan H., Grade 8, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

We are proud to announce that our 2025 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! Our annual art contest aims to get students thinking about how marine debris impacts our ocean and Great Lakes, and what they can do to help. This year’s calendar features artwork from 13 students in kindergarten through eighth grade from eight states and two U.S. territories, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest. Keep your eye on our blog and website for information on the next contest, which opens October 15, 2024.

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Guam Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: A New Comprehensive Guide for the Territory

A derelict vessel found on the island of Guam (Photo Credit: NOAA).

We are pleased to release the “Guam Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide” (Guide). This Guide aims to improve preparedness for responding to marine debris after typhoons and other disasters in the territory, such as Typhoon Mawar, which impacted the island in 2023.

Learn More

Upcoming Webinar: Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions for Marine Debris (TIPS)

Raimundo Espinoza, the Executive Director of Conservación ConCiencia will be presenting at the next TIPS webinar (Photo Credit: Conservación ConCiencia).

Help us “reel in the problem” and tackle abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) at our next webinar: From Gear to Ghost: Reeling in the Problem on October 8, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This TIPS webinar will feature presentations from various organizations that engage in ALDFG mitigation efforts. Presenters will speak about prevention, removal, and research initiatives aimed to "reel in the problem" of ALDFG. Register for the upcoming webinar and catch up on previous recordings on our website.

Learn More

NOAA Ocean Podcast: Marine Debris - Talking Trash

A large net filled with broken and dead coral heads that was removed from Seal-Kittery Island, Pearl and Hermes Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Marine debris is a large and global problem. Plastics, metals, rubber, fishing gear, and other lost and discarded items enter our ocean, Great Lakes, waterways, and coastal areas every day. This challenging issue can cause negative impacts to wildlife, the environment, and the economy. In this episode, the NOAA Ocean Podcast chats with Sophie Maginnes, communication specialist with the NOAA Marine Debris Program. 

Listen Now

Search and Filter Marine Debris Education Materials!

Check out the Marine Debris Education Materials (Photo Credit: Adobe Stock).

This new tool allows you to explore a full collection of the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s curricula and filter based on what is best fit for your classroom. Explore over 200 educational materials - including curricula, lesson plans, activities, videos, and more - and filter by category.

Learn More

 

NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2024

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

An interception technology installed in the Anacostia River, Maryland, to capture marine debris and prevent it from moving to other areas (Photo Credit: NOAA).

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In This Issue 13 New Projects Recommended for Funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 2024 Community Marine Debris Removal Awards in Alaska  International Coastal Cleanup Funding Opportunity Zero Waste Back to School Urban Ocean Summit Upcoming Webinar Coastal Pollution Tutorial Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog 13 New Projects Recommended for Funding Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

A helicopter sling loading debris from Montague Island to a barge (Photo Credit: Gulf of Alaska Keeper).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is proud to announce 13 new projects recommended for funding under our NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies award competitions. These projects represent an investment in over $23 million for marine debris removal with funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The projects recommended under these nationwide competitive funding opportunities continue the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s commitment to make tangible, beneficial impacts to coastal and marine habitats and communities across the nation.

For more information on this year’s recommended projects, please visit the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s website.

2024 Community Marine Debris Removal Grant Program Awards in Alaska

Marine debris items removed from Kayak Island, Alaska during a cleanup led by Ocean Plastics Recovery Project (Photo Credit: Ocean Plastics Recovery Project).

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. These projects will remove and dispose of marine debris and conduct community-focused education and outreach activities in order to provide tangible benefits to coastal and marine habitats, communities, and economies across Alaska.

Learn More

The International Coastal Cleanup Is Here!

Sea the change and find a cleanup near you (Photo Credit: Ocean Conservancy).

It’s almost that time of year—time for the annual International Coastal Cleanup! The Ocean Conservancy brings people together around the globe for this event to clean up marine debris in their local communities, and the NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to provide support.

This year, plan ahead and find a cleanup near you on the Ocean Conservancy's website.

Funding Opportunity: Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

An abandoned and derelict vessel submerged in a marina in Neah Bay, Washington (Photo Credit: NOAA).

We are still accepting Letters of Intent for two Fiscal Year 2025 Notices of Funding Opportunity for both Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $54 million across two funding opportunities:

Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Removal under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Letters of Intent due on September 27, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicant resources are available here.

Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Letters of Intent due on October 09, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicant resources are available here.

For more information on these funding opportunities, visit the NOAA Marine Debris Program's website.

Zero Waste Back to School Preparation

Check out these online resources to prepare for your back to school season (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Back to school season is here! There can be a lot of waste associated with back to school shopping in the form of single-use plastic and packaging materials that can ultimately end up in our ocean and Great Lakes. As you prepare your classroom and check off your back to school shopping list, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has resources for both students and educators to prepare for the school year ahead. Our online resources are a zero waste must-have for this back to school season!

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Urban Ocean Brings Together Partners for Summit in Chennai, India

Opening Day of the Urban Ocean Summit (Photo Credit: Ocean Conservancy).

Thanks to funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Ocean Conservancy and Urban Ocean partners, The Circular Initiative and Resilient City Network, provided a unique opportunity for representatives from private companies to connect and explore collaborations and meet others in the sustainability industry who are ready to speed up the transition away from single-use plastics. The Urban Ocean program is now energized and ready to keep the momentum going to reduce plastic pollution in cities across the globe! Read more about the projects the Summit attendees are advancing to reduce plastic pollution and address gaps in their waste management systems.

Learn More

Upcoming Webinar: Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions for Marine Debris (TIPS)

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project removing derelict fishing nets from the reefs of Kamokuokamohoaliʻi (Photo Credit: The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

Help us "reel in the problem" and tackle abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) at our next webinar: From Gear to Ghost: Reeling in the Problem on October 8 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. This TIPS webinar will feature presentations from various organizations that engage in ALDFG mitigation efforts. Presenters will speak to prevention, removal, and research initiatives aimed to "reel in the problem" of ALDFG. You can register for the upcoming webinar and catch up on previous ones on our website.

Learn More

New Resource: National Ocean Service Coastal Pollution Tutorial

A football-field sized barge carrying nearly 3,400 super-sacks of marine debris from remote and rugged beaches from Alaska and British Columbia docked at the Waste Management facility in Seattle, Washington (Photo Credit: NOAA).

A new NOAA online resource explores the sources and impacts of three major types of pollution that affect the nation’s coasts: oil spills, marine debris, and harmful algae blooms. This resource is a collection of pages that present the sources, impacts, and solutions that scientists and others are using to address each of these types of pollution. The content is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards, as well as the Ocean Literacy Principles.

Check it out!

 

NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2024

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

An interception technology device installed in Florida waterways to capture marine debris and prevent it from moving into other areas (Photo: Sarasota County Government).

In This Issue New Funding Opportunities Special Vessel Removal Funding Opportunity Upcoming Webinar An Educator’s Guide to NOAA’s Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog New Funding Opportunity: Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

An abandonded and derelict vessel submerged in Neah Bay, Washington (Photo: NOAA).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce two Fiscal Year 2025 Notices of Funding Opportunity for both Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $54 million across two funding opportunities:

Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Removal under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Letters of Intent due on September 27, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time and an applicant webinar will be offered on August 07, 2024 at 3:00pm Eastern Time. 

Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Letters of Intent due on October 09, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time and an applicant webinar will be offered on August 14, 2024 at 3:00pm Eastern Time. 

Learn More

Special Funding Opportunity: Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program

A derelict vessel located in Beaufort Harbor in Beaufort, North Carolina (Photo: BoatUS Foundation).

The BoatUS Foundation is still accepting 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. Proposals are due August 12.

Learn More

Upcoming Webinar: Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions for Marine Debris

An aerial photograph of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Photo: Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

Are you interested in learning about place-based education initiatives in tropical islands? Join us on August 13 at our upcoming Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions webinar - Back to School! There will be presentations from organizations in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Florida Keys, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Presentations will focus on education and outreach resources and practices that are place-based and rooted in the specifics of these island communities. There will also be a presentation on NOAA Marine Debris Program educator resources that are publicly available. 

Register Here

Now Available: An Educator’s Guide to NOAA’s Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project

A group of fifth grade students participating in the Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (Photo: Denise Harrington).

The NOAA Marine Debris Program created the Guide to Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) for Educators as a resource for educators who are interested in implementing MDMAP surveys with their students. The Guide provides instructions and tips for participating in MDMAP and planning, conducting, and following up on monitoring surveys with student groups. Understanding where, how much, and what kinds of debris are present in the marine environment is important to help combat the problem. This knowledge, along with an understanding of how the amount of marine debris on shorelines is changing over time, is essential to developing new and effective strategies for prevention, education, and outreach. 

Learn More

 

NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2024

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Check out the new report on microfiber pollution! (Photo: Sherri Mason)

In This Issue New Report on Microfiber Pollution Released Special Funding Opportunity Special Funding Opportunity Mission Accomplished: Cleaning Kuaihelani's Shorelines Hamburger Safari Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog New Report on Microfiber Pollution Released

Check out the full report! (Photo: Sherri Mason)

The NOAA Marine Debris Program and Environmental Protection Agency’s Trash Free Waters Program, on behalf of the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee with support from the consulting firm Materevolve and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, are pleased to share the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee Report on Microfiber Pollution. This report, created as a requirement of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (P.L. 116-224), provides an overview of microfiber pollution, including a proposed definition of a microfiber, an assessment of the problem, and recommendations for measuring and reducing microfiber pollution. It also outlines a plan with five goals for Federal agencies to reduce microfiber pollution in coordination with stakeholders. 

Read the Full Report

Special Funding Opportunity: Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program

A derelict vessel located in Beaufort Harbor in Beaufort, North Carolina (Photo: BOAT US Foundation).

The BoatUS Foundation, is accepting applications under the Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program until August 12. 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. 

Apply here

Special Funding Opportunity: Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund

An abandoned derelict vessel crashed into a marina walkway in Ft. Myers Yacht Basin caused by Hurricane Ian (Photo: NOAA).

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is still requesting proposals under the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund through July 26. With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, they are seeking applications for approximately $6 million in grants to remove marine debris from impacted coastal areas. The program will primarily fund marine debris assessment, removal, restoration, and disposal activities in coastal communities in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina. Projects will prevent further damage to sensitive coastal habitats and species and reduce the impacts of marine debris on properties, community infrastructure, assets of economic importance, and navigation safety.

Apply here

Mission Accomplished: Cleaning Kuaihelani’s Shorelines

A collective total of 70,080 pounds of plastic and other debris, derelict fishing gear, and derelict vessels was removed from Kuaihelani (Photos: Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project).

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project completed their first mission of 2024 to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (monument). This 19 day mission was focused on removing derelict fishing gear and consumer plastics from just the shorelines of Kuaihelani (Pihemanu, Midway Atoll). The team surpassed their original goal of 35,000 pounds and removed 70,080 pounds of marine debris. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to support this work through a 5-year grant to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation using $5.8M in funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

Learn More

Hamburger Safari: Youth Scientists Document and Devour Data

Students bring food back and analyze the data from the Hamburger Safari (Photo Credit: Vermilion Sea Institute).

The Vermilion Sea Institute, and the youthful team of Aventureros, are documenting and supporting local restaurants on a transition away from single-use plastics. The team picks up their to-go orders from 20 food vendors in Bahia de los Angeles, Mexico and work together to devour the data. The Hamburger Safari is a continual, youth-driven effort to reduce barriers to a sustainable and waste-free community and offer creative, novel, and place-based methodologies to do so. Throughout this work, the Aventureros have directly engaged well over 550 people in their marine debris reduction and prevention efforts. Read more about what the team discovered!

Learn More

 

NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2024

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Marine debris threatens our island communities coral reefs (Photo: The Dive Shop at The Reef).

In This Issue June is National Ocean Month! New Island Webinar Series Special Funding Opportunity First Urban Ocean Summit Summer Fireworks Are Coming Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog June is National Ocean Month!

Our ocean provides countless benefits to our planet and all the creatures that live here (Photo: NOAA).

Celebrate the ocean with us as we spotlight ocean awareness and literacy all month long. This year’s weekly theme’s cover topics related to Our Blue Economy; The Ocean is for Everyone; Conserve, Restore, and Connect; and Coastal Resilence. You can access a boatload of resources, ocean facts, infographics, and a video message for the National Ocean Service Assistant Administrator, Nicole R. LeBoeuf. Be sure to follow along social media with the hashtag #OceanMonthNOAA to stay afloat with all NOAA is doing to celebrate the ocean!

Celebrate Our Ocean

New Webinar Series: Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions for Marine Debris

Marine debris threatens our island communities coral reefs (Photo Credit: The Dive Shop at The Reef).

We are excited to announce our new webinar series: Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions for Marine Debris (TIPS). This series will share perspectives and solutions on the pressing issue of marine debris in island communities and brings together tropical island communities from across continents to discuss different marine debris-related topics, such as disposal, storm impacts and recovery, the impacts of tourism, and more! Interested in joining? The first webinar will take place June 11.

Learn More

Special Funding Opportunity: Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund

An abandoned derelict vessel crashed into a marina walkway in Ft. Myers Yacht Basin caused by Hurricane Ian (Photo: NOAA).

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is still requesting proposals under the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund now through July 26. With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, NFWF is seeking applications for approximately $6 million in grants to remove marine debris from impacted coastal areas. The program will primarily fund marine debris assessment, removal, restoration, and disposal activities in coastal communities in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina. Projects will prevent further damage to sensitive coastal habitats and species and reduce the impacts of marine debris on properties, community infrastructure, assets of economic importance, and navigation safety. Apply here!

Learn More

First Urban Ocean Summit

The Urban Ocean Summit will take place in Chennai, India (Photo: Ocean Conservancy).

This June, thanks to funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Ocean Conservancy and its partners will host the first in-person meeting of the 12 current Urban Ocean cities at the Urban Ocean Summit! Urban Ocean® is a capacity-building and accelerator program to end ocean plastic pollution and build more resilient cities. Urban Ocean champions circular economy principles, builds awareness of ocean plastic pollution, assesses waste management systems, and supports cities to develop projects that address the interrelated challenges of ocean plastics and resilience. The program is jointly implemented by Resilient Cities Network, Ocean Conservancy and The Circulate Initiative.

Learn More

Summer Fireworks Are Coming!

A firework celebration (Photo: R. Gino Santa Mariavia, Adobe Stock).

It is not uncommon to find streets and beaches littered with the remnants of fireworks during summer celebrations. Pieces of plastic, paper, and cardboard that are not properly disposed of, can easily make their way to the beaches and the ocean to become marine debris. Marine debris is an eyesore along shorelines around the world. It degrades the beauty of beaches and deters tourists and residents from enjoying the beach over the holiday. Leftover trash from fireworks can pose major risks to marine animals when it enters the ocean. There are a number of activities we can all partake in to keep our beaches free of firework debris.

Learn More

 

NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2024

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

A tangled pile of derelict fishing gear on the shoreline (Photo: NOAA).

In This Issue Special Funding Opportunity Special Funding Opportunity 2024 Art Contest Winners Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project Update Breaking Down Plastic Facts and Myths Unwelcome Catch Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Monitoring Toolbox

The NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project has an updated Monitoring Toolbox! Check out the new video tutorials and database visualization tools, along with refreshed guides and field datasheets. The Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Special Funding Opportunity: Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevent Program

A tangled pile of derelict fishing gear on the shoreline (Photo: NOAA).

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science, is requesting 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. Apply here!

Learn More

Special Funding Opportunity: Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund

An abandoned derelict vessel crashed into a marina walkway in Ft. Myers Yacht Basin caused by Hurricane Ian (Photo: NOAA).

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is requesting proposals under the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund now through July 26. With funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, NFWF is seeking applications for approximately $6 million in grants to remove marine debris from impacted coastal areas. The program will primarily fund marine debris assessment, removal, restoration, and disposal activities in coastal communities in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina. Projects will prevent further damage to sensitive coastal habitats and species and reduce the impacts of marine debris on properties, community infrastructure, assets of economic importance, and navigation safety. Apply here!

Learn More

Congratulations to our 2024 Art Contest Winners!

Artwork by Anika A. (Grade 4, Washington), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

Thank you to all the students and schools that participated in this year’s contest. We appreciate your art and care for our ocean and Great Lakes. The winning artwork is featured in a calendar, which will help to remind us every day of the importance of being responsible stewards of the ocean. Check out all of this year’s winners that will be featured in our 2025 calendar, available later this year.

Learn More

Kuaihelani: Taking a Closer Look at Marine Debris within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

An aerial image of Kuaihelani's barrier reef (Photo Credit: NOAA).

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project will soon complete a 19-day mission to Kuaihelani, modernly known as Midway Atoll, to clean up shoreline debris. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is supporting this work through a 5-year grant to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) using $5.8M in funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding to NFWF is being matched by Marc and Lynne Benioff for a total investment of $12M over a 5-year period. Additional funding for this mission is being provided by the NOAA Damage Assessment, Remediation, and Restoration Program and the M/V Casitas Trustee Council. Stay tuned for final numbers and a summary of the mission by subscribing to our blog! 

Learn More

Breaking Down Plastic Facts and Myths

A wave crashing on shore into a pile of marine debris (Photo: Parilov via Adobe Stock).

Fact: Plastic is the most abundant type of marine debris in our ocean, Great Lakes, and waterways. As the U.S. Federal government’s lead for addressing marine debris, we compiled everything you need to know about plastic and its effects on the planet. There is a lot of information out there and we are “breaking down” some facts and common myths about plastic and marine debris. 

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Unwelcome Catch: Fishermen's Stewardship Role Reeling in Marine Debris

Captain Nate Severdija stands with the Mylar balloons that he caught during just one season of fishing charters off of Cape Cod, Massachusetts (Photo: NOAA Fisheries).

A small group of fishermen are making a big impact by catching more than just seafood on their fishing trips, collecting balloons they see while out on the water. The act of releasing balloons—deliberately or not—may seem harmless. But no matter how far they travel, balloons eventually fall and wash up in our ocean, Great Lakes, and waterways. In 2019 alone, volunteers around the globe collected more than 104,000 balloons during the annual International Coastal Cleanup organized by the Ocean Conservancy. One of the most common types of balloons found on these coastal cleanups are Mylar, also known as foil, balloons. Read more about this unwelcome catch and how you can help combat marine debris, one balloon at a time!

Learn More

 

NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2024

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov