Making Progress on Marine Debris in the Mid-Atlantic neil.mccoy Thu, 12/01/2022 - 11:00

The Mid-Atlantic coast of the United States is a large, dynamic, and diverse place. Home to over 10,000 miles of coastline and spanning from Virginia to New York, it features major metropolitan areas, iconic coastal bays and estuaries, and an incredible array of wildlife and habitats. Unfortunately, seemingly everywhere we turn, marine debris can also be found. Debris litters the Mid-Atlantic waterways and coastlines, entangles and captures wildlife, scars habitats, and harms the regional economy.

• Read more about Making Progress on Marine Debris in the Mid-Atlantic
• 2 comments

Tags Mid-Atlantic removal prevention research

Marine Debris Cleanup Efforts in North Carolina Continue Years After Hurricane Florence neil.mccoy Tue, 11/29/2022 - 11:00

Vessel removals are a big part of the ongoing cleanup efforts by the North Carolina Coastal Federation along North Carolina’s coast. Since 2019, nearly 100 abandoned and derelict vessels have been removed, along with tons of marine debris collected by commercial fishers. The total yield is an amazing 1,800 tons, or 3.6 million pounds, of debris cleaned out of coastal waters and habitats. While these removal efforts highlight the significant progress made by the project, marine debris continues to be a problem.

• Read more about Marine Debris Cleanup Efforts in North Carolina Continue Years After Hurricane Florence
• 1 comment

Tags Southeast removal ADVs

Marine Debris Cleanup Efforts in North Carolina Continue Years After Hurricane Florence neil.mccoy Tue, 11/29/2022 - 11:00

Vessel removals are a big part of the ongoing cleanup efforts by the North Carolina Coastal Federation along North Carolina’s coast. Since 2019, nearly 100 abandoned and derelict vessels have been removed, along with tons of marine debris collected by commercial fishers. The total yield is an amazing 1,800 tons, or 3.6 million pounds, of debris cleaned out of coastal waters and habitats. While these removal efforts highlight the significant progress made by the project, marine debris continues to be a problem.

• Read more about Marine Debris Cleanup Efforts in North Carolina Continue Years After Hurricane Florence
• 1 comment

Tags Southeast removal ADVs

On the Hunt for Derelict Crab Traps in South Carolina Coastal Waters neil.mccoy Wed, 11/16/2022 - 11:00

Crabbing is a popular recreational activity and a valuable commercial industry in South Carolina. Traps become derelict when they are displaced or when their marking buoys are lost from events such as boat strikes, extreme weather, or equipment malfunction. The true number and distribution of derelict crab traps in coastal South Carolina remains unknown. A project led by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources aims to improve our understanding of the impact of derelict fishing gear in South Carolina by mapping intertidal and subtidal areas of four estuaries.

• Read more about On the Hunt for Derelict Crab Traps in South Carolina Coastal Waters
• 1 comment

Tags Southeast derelict fishing gear derelict crab pots removal

From Fellowship to Fellow Teammate! Shanelle.Naone Tue, 11/15/2022 - 11:00

In 2020, I began my California Sea Grant Extension Fellowship with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program. I was brought on to help the California Regional Coordinator implement marine debris projects and strategies in California. Over the course of my fellowship, I had the opportunity to lead a statewide marine debris action plan, support strategic internal efforts, and partake in countless professional development opportunities. This experience has improved my confidence as a young professional, guided my career path, and has certainly prepared me for my next chapter and future career.

• Read more about From Fellowship to Fellow Teammate!

Tags California Internship

Partners Take On Marine Debris Across the Southeast neil.mccoy Thu, 11/10/2022 - 11:00

Fall has finally arrived here in the Southeast, bringing cooler temperatures after a long, brutally hot summer. Gone (for now) are cleanup days of sweat and sunblock-drenched clothes and bags that stick to your skin. This means tackling marine debris just became a little more enjoyable and a lot less sweaty! While you’re out enjoying these beautiful, crisp days, you may see our partners in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina out and about taking on the marine debris issue head-on. We’re excited to highlight some of their marine debris prevention and removal efforts.

• Read more about Partners Take On Marine Debris Across the Southeast
• 3 comments

Tags Southeast prevention removal

New Tools for Collecting and Exploring Marine Debris Data neil.mccoy Thu, 11/03/2022 - 11:00

Marine debris is a familiar sight on shorelines around the world, and a reminder that there is still work to be done to tackle this global environmental problem. While we know a lot about marine debris, there are questions that can help test and identify the best solutions. How much marine debris is on our shores? What kind of debris is it, and where does it come from? Are these things changing over time? You can help find the answers through NOAA’s Marine Debris Program Monitoring and Assessment Project! An updated Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

• Read more about New Tools for Collecting and Exploring Marine Debris Data
• 3 comments

Tags MDMAP education outreach shoreline monitoring monitoring Citizen Science

New Tools for Collecting and Exploring Marine Debris Data neil.mccoy Thu, 11/03/2022 - 11:00

Marine debris is a familiar sight on shorelines around the world, and a reminder that there is still work to be done to tackle this global environmental problem. While we know a lot about marine debris, there are questions that can help test and identify the best solutions. How much marine debris is on our shores? What kind of debris is it, and where does it come from? Are these things changing over time? You can help find the answers through NOAA’s Marine Debris Program Monitoring and Assessment Project! An updated Monitoring Toolbox contains all of the resources you need to get started.

• Read more about New Tools for Collecting and Exploring Marine Debris Data
• 3 comments

Tags MDMAP education outreach shoreline monitoring monitoring Citizen Science

All In: How a Coastal Community in Alaska Comes Together to Tackle Marine Debris Shanelle.Naone Tue, 10/25/2022 - 11:00

The Aleut Community of Saint Paul Island Tribal Government has been actively tackling marine debris issues over the last two decades to protect the marine ecosystem around St. Paul Island. St. Paul Island is part of the Pribilof Islands, which are centrally situated in the eastern Bering Sea in Alaska. The waters surrounding the Pribilof Islands support globally significant populations of marine mammals and birds, and are also central to some of the most valuable commercial fisheries in the world. The St. Paul Island community comprises approximately 350-400 residents, all of whom are deeply connected to the marine ecosystem and act as critical environmental stewards for their home.

• Read more about All In: How a Coastal Community in Alaska Comes Together to Tackle Marine Debris
• 3 comments

Tags removal prevention Alaska

Now Open: The Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest! neil.mccoy Mon, 10/17/2022 - 11:00

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 16th. Winning artwork will be featured in our 2024 Marine Debris Calendar!

• Read more about Now Open: The Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest!

Tags art contest education calendar outreach

The 2023 Marine Debris Calendar Is Now Available! neil.mccoy Thu, 10/06/2022 - 11:00

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce that our 2023 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in kindergarten through eighth grade from nine states and two U.S. territories, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest.

• Read more about The 2023 Marine Debris Calendar Is Now Available!
• 1 comment

Tags art contest calendar outreach education