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

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

• Read more about Crabbers and Scientists Collaborate to Remove Abandoned Fishing Gear and Protect Blue Crabs Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast

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

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

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

• Read more about Crabbers and Scientists Collaborate to Remove Abandoned Fishing Gear and Protect Blue Crabs Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast

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

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

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

• Read more about 2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards

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

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

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

• Read more about 2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards

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

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

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

• Read more about 2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards

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

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

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

• Read more about 2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards

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

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

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

• Read more about 2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards

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

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

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

• Read more about 2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards

Tags emergency response funding opportunities removal response Alaska Florida Caribbean

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.

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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.

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

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Growing Stewards of the Coastline: One Cool Earth's Journey with Local Students emily.greene Thu, 12/12/2024 - 17:01

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.

• Read more about Growing Stewards of the Coastline: One Cool Earth's Journey with Local Students

Tags California prevention education

Growing Stewards of the Coastline: One Cool Earth's Journey with Local Students emily.greene Thu, 12/12/2024 - 17:01

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.

• Read more about Growing Stewards of the Coastline: One Cool Earth's Journey with Local Students

Tags California prevention education

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

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

• Read more about First Round of Projects Announced Under the Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program

Tags Large Scale Marine Debris Removal derelict fishing gear grants

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. 

Learn More

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! 

Learn More

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

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

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

• Read more about Working with Tribes to Remove Marine Debris

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

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

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

• Read more about Working with Tribes to Remove Marine Debris

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

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

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

• Read more about Working with Tribes to Remove Marine Debris

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