2022 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards neil.mccoy Tue, 12/13/2022 - 11:00

Following a competitive review process, the NOAA Marine Debris Program and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are pleased to announce the five recipients of the 2022 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund. The awards will go to Gulf of Mexico states impacted by the 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons, totaling approximately $1.6 million in federal funds. Federal funding is supplemented by grantee matching contributions, bringing the total investment of these marine debris projects to approximately $2.4 million. 

• Read more about 2022 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards

Tags emergency response Gulf of Mexico removal

Expanding Nurdle Patrol from Texas to Mexico neil.mccoy Thu, 08/25/2022 - 11:00

Small plastic pellets, or nurdles, are the raw material for almost everything made of plastic. Unfortunately, before they make it to plastic production, they can be released into the environment where they pollute habitats and harm wildlife. With a grant from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Nurdle Patrol, a citizen science project run by the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas, is expanding efforts throughout Mexico.

• Read more about Expanding Nurdle Patrol from Texas to Mexico
• 3 comments

Tags Gulf of Mexico prevention

Taking on Debris Big and Small in the Gulf of Mexico Shanelle.Naone Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:00

The Gulf of Mexico is a vast and productive body of water spanning 600,000 square miles with tremendous ecological, economic, and social value. The vast Gulf provides essential habitat for an amazing diversity of fish, whales, dolphins, and species of migratory, wading, and sea birds. Unfortunately, marine debris impacts habitats, wildlife, and industries throughout the Gulf of Mexico. In order to address the issue of marine debris, from large hurricane debris to tiny microplastics, the region needs a comprehensive approach that brings together many partners.

• Read more about Taking on Debris Big and Small in the Gulf of Mexico
• 3 comments

Tags Gulf of Mexico prevention removal

Reduction of Ghost Fishing from Derelict Blue Crab Traps on the Mid-Texas Coast neil.mccoy Wed, 05/05/2021 - 11:00

Most of us in coastal communities know the term “ghost fishing” and why it is bad, but to get a handle on the problem here in the Texas Mid-Coast area local scientists are diving deeper into the issue by looking for the root causes of the problem. The Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, with funding from a NOAA Marine Debris Program removal grant, is expanding efforts to remove derelict traps and gather standardized data that can be used to better assess the ecological and economic impacts and help identify the causes of trap abandonment.

• Read more about Reduction of Ghost Fishing from Derelict Blue Crab Traps on the Mid-Texas Coast

Tags Gulf of Mexico removal derelict crab pots derelict fishing gear

Addressing Marine Debris Issues Across the Gulf of Mexico neil.mccoy Tue, 05/04/2021 - 11:00

The Gulf of Mexico’s coastal habitats are a treasure trove of biological diversity and unique ecosystems. They’re also a vital resource for coastal economies, industries, and communities, and are impacted by human activity in many ways. One ongoing challenge in the Gulf of Mexico region is the problem of marine debris. From local litter and abandoned fishing gear, to restaurant waste and debris dams, marine debris in the Gulf States is a complex issue. Fortunately, our partners in the region are up for the challenge and are leading efforts to prevent and remove debris across the Gulf.

• Read more about Addressing Marine Debris Issues Across the Gulf of Mexico

Tags Gulf of Mexico prevention removal

The Economic Benefits of Marine Debris Prevention and Removal jennifer.simms Tue, 07/07/2020 - 11:32

Marine debris can be dangerous for wildlife, damage sensitive habitats, and create safety and navigation hazards. But did you know that marine debris can also hurt the economies of coastal communities and decrease commercial fishing revenue? Marine debris can keep tourists away from beaches, compete with active fishing gear and reduce commercial catches, and cost small businesses money.

• Read more about The Economic Benefits of Marine Debris Prevention and Removal

Tags Great Lakes ghost fishing derelict fishing gear prevention removal Mid-Atlantic Alaska Southeast California Gulf of Mexico

Teaming Up to Keep Mardi Gras Crazy Fun & Crazy Clean! jennifer.simms Wed, 02/19/2020 - 09:16

Mardi Gras season is one of the south’s most anticipated traditions, with costumes, beads, parades, and balls, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is alive with festivities. Unfortunately, these beloved celebrations leave behind large amounts of trash that takes days to pick up. Debris that is left in streets and on sidewalks can be blown or washed into storm drains, causing blockage that increases flooding, or into the local environment creating a hazard to wildlife.

• Read more about Teaming Up to Keep Mardi Gras Crazy Fun & Crazy Clean!
• 1 comment

Tags prevention holiday Gulf of Mexico

Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program jennifer.simms Thu, 11/21/2019 - 08:36

The commercial crab fishery in Louisiana is an important fishery that primarily targets adult blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus). Yielding an annual average landing (crabs brought to port) of 18,600,000 kg (41,000,000 pounds) from 2013 to 2017, the Louisiana blue crab fishery is frequently both the largest blue crab fishery and domestic blue crab supplier in the United States.

• Read more about Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation’s Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program
• 2 comments

Tags Gulf of Mexico

Working Across the Gulf of Mexico to Address Marine Debris Issues jennifer.simms Tue, 11/19/2019 - 08:25

The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is the ninth largest body of water in the world but is nearly landlocked by North America, bordered by Mexico and the U.S. states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

• Read more about Working Across the Gulf of Mexico to Address Marine Debris Issues
• 2 comments

Tags Gulf of Mexico

Estimating the Effects of Marine Debris on Coastal Economies jennifer.simms Wed, 09/25/2019 - 13:14

Imagine you’ve planned a big trip to the beach with your family and friends, loaded up the car with supplies or jumped on a plane, and traveled to your vacation spot, only to find a beach littered with plastic beverage bottles, stray fishing line, chip bags, cigarette butts, and other debris. Would you stay and play, or be on your way? What if there were no debris, would you be more likely to return in the future? These are the kinds of questions we asked to better understand the relationship between marine debris and the coastal tourism economy.

• Read more about Estimating the Effects of Marine Debris on Coastal Economies

Tags California Mid-Atlantic Gulf of Mexico Great Lakes

Restoring Fish Habitat on the Pearl River Posted Thu, 03/07/2019 - 09:15

The Pearl River is one of the most biologically diverse river systems in the Southeast with over 140 fish species and 28 mussel species, making it a high priority for conservation. Overtime the Pearl River, just upstream of Bogalusa, became blocked by an over accumulation of woody debris resulting in part by land use changes and then accelerated through recent hurricanes and flooding events. This project, funded through a NOAA Marine Debris Community-based Removal grant, combines efforts across multiple federal, state, and local agencies, NGOs, corporations, and local communities to restore hydrologic function for important fish species to be able to travel freely upstream to spawn

• Read more about Restoring Fish Habitat on the Pearl River
• Add new comment

Tags Gulf of Mexico

Marine Debris in the Gulf of Mexico Posted Wed, 03/06/2019 - 09:17

Thousands of miles of rivers east of the Rocky Mountains flow down the continental US and empty into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Debris from as far away as Minnesota and Pennsylvania can end up in the waters off the Louisiana or Alabama coast. Preventing and removing debris in the Gulf States can be a huge challenge, but the Marine Debris Program’s partners in the region are up to the task.

• Read more about Marine Debris in the Gulf of Mexico
• Add new comment

Tags Gulf of Mexico

Party On, but Pick it Up! alexis.thorbecke Tue, 03/05/2019 - 08:22

By Laura Stone, Mobile Baykeeper

It’s that time of year again… Mardi Gras parades and king cakes, which means Mobile Baykeeper is launching its second year of the Litter-Free Mardi Gras campaign!  

• Read more about Party On, but Pick it Up!
• Add new comment

Tags Gulf of Mexico

Texas Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: A New Comprehensive Guide for the State Posted Tue, 12/18/2018 - 08:33

The Marine Debris Program is pleased to release the Texas Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: Comprehensive Guidance Document, the final emergency response guide for the Gulf of Mexico states. The Texas Guide is a product of a collaborative process with local, state, and federal agencies.  The Guide aims to improve preparedness for response and recovery operations following an acute waterway debris incident in coastal Texas.

• Read more about Texas Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: A New Comprehensive Guide for the State
• Add new comment

Tags Gulf of Mexico

NOAA Marine Debris Awards Funding to Clean up Marine Debris in 2017 Hurricane-Affected Areas Posted Fri, 11/16/2018 - 10:09

With financial support from NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, coastal states and territories impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria received $17.2M in disaster relief funding to assess, removal, and dispose of hurricane related marine debris.

• Read more about NOAA Marine Debris Awards Funding to Clean up Marine Debris in 2017 Hurricane-Affected Areas
• Add new comment

Tags Florida & the Caribbean Southeast Gulf of Mexico emergency response

Campaign for a “Litter-Free Mardi Gras” krista.e.stegemann Thu, 02/08/2018 - 11:00

By: Caitlin Wessel, Gulf of Mexico Regional Coordinator for the NOAA Marine Debris Program

Mardi Gras is a fun occasion for many cities across the South, from New Orleans to Alabama. Bead necklaces and other items like moon pies, cups, and cheap toys are a Mardi Gras staple and are thrown to excited crowds lining the streets during parades that begin six weeks before Fat Tuesday. Unfortunately, many of these items are abandoned on the street and can easily wash down street drains and end up in streams, rivers, and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. Learn how our partners are working to reduce the environmental impacts of Mardi Gras while keeping the Mardi Gras spirit alive and well!

• Read more about Campaign for a “Litter-Free Mardi Gras”
• Add new comment

Tags holiday cleanups Gulf of Mexico

Mississippi Coastal Cleanup krista.e.stegemann Thu, 11/09/2017 - 11:00

By: Amanda Sartain, Extension Program Assistant at Mississippi State University

Since 1988, thousands of Mississippi Coastal Cleanup volunteers have contributed hours of hard work and dedication to the removal of marine debris, which includes any solid, man-made material that ends up in the marine environment either intentionally or unintentionally. Millions of pounds of marine debris have been removed from Mississippi beaches, waterways, and barrier islands over the years. Unsurprisingly, commonly-collected trash items have included cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bottles, and straws. During last year’s cleanup event, over 14 tons of trash were collected. Cigarette butts, food wrappers, and plastic beverage bottles were once again among the most common items found. 

The 29th annual Mississippi Coastal Cleanup will take place Saturday, November 18th, from 8 to 11am. Come get involved!

• Read more about Mississippi Coastal Cleanup
• Add new comment

Tags cleanups Gulf of Mexico

Mississippi Marine Debris Emergency Response: A New Comprehensive Guide for the State krista.e.stegemann Wed, 02/22/2017 - 12:20

The NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) is proud to announce the release of the new Marine Debris Emergency Response document for Mississippi! This guide takes existing roles and authorities, as they relate to response to an incident that generates large amounts of debris in coastal waterways, and presents them in one guidance document for easy reference. By collaborating with local, state, and federal entities active in the region, this guide aims to facilitate a more timely and effective response to marine debris incidents in Mississippi.

• Read more about Mississippi Marine Debris Emergency Response: A New Comprehensive Guide for the State
• Add new comment

Tags report response Gulf of Mexico

ADVs and the Gulf of Mexico krista.e.stegemann Thu, 01/26/2017 - 10:30

Abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) are a type of large marine debris that is a problem throughout the country. ADVs can be aesthetically unappealing, but can also create real problems by damaging important habitat, creating hazards to navigation and recreation, leaking pollutants into the environment, and impacting fisheries resources. Vessels can become derelict in a variety of ways, such as being abandoned by their owner after acquiring damage or sunk during a severe storm. Unfortunately, this type of debris can be extremely difficult and costly to remove, often making it difficult to address.

ADVs are particularly a problem in the Gulf of Mexico, especially due to the many severe storms in this region. 

• Read more about ADVs and the Gulf of Mexico
• Add new comment

Tags Gulf of Mexico ADVs

Tackling Marine Debris in the Gulf of Mexico krista.e.stegemann Tue, 01/24/2017 - 10:30

Meet Caitlin Wessel, the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Gulf of Mexico Regional Coordinator! Reach out to Caitlin at caitlin.wessel@noaa.gov!

Marine debris is an issue throughout the country and unfortunately, the Gulf of Mexico is no different. To address this problem, we first must work to prevent trash from becoming marine debris and we do this through education and outreach. Unfortunately, there’s enough debris out there that we must also work to remove it. Check out some of the efforts currently underway to prevent and remove debris in the Gulf.

• Read more about Tackling Marine Debris in the Gulf of Mexico
• Add new comment

Tags Gulf of Mexico prevention removal