Zero Waste Back to School Preparation madison.piascik Tue, 08/06/2024 - 09:36

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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Tags Back to School plastics zero waste education

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

Now Available: An Educator’s Guide to NOAA’s Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project madison.piascik Wed, 07/24/2024 - 13:58

The NOAA Marine Debris Program created the Guide to 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. 

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

Tags monitoring shoreline monitoring education Back to School

Now Available: An Educator’s Guide to NOAA’s Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project madison.piascik Wed, 07/24/2024 - 13:58

The NOAA Marine Debris Program created the Guide to 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. 

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

Tags monitoring shoreline monitoring education Back to School

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

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

• Read more about Two Grant Opportunities Now Open: FY25 Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Tags funding opportunities removal grants Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

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. 

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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!

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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

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

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

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

• Read more about Special Funding Opportunity: Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program

Tags ADVs funding opportunities removal Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

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

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

• Read more about Special Funding Opportunity: Abandoned and Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program

Tags ADVs funding opportunities removal Large Scale Marine Debris Removal

Mission Accomplished: Cleaning Kuaihelani’s Shorelines emily.greene Thu, 05/23/2024 - 22:23

This month, 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. Learn more about the team's time on Kuaihelani! 

• Read more about Mission Accomplished: Cleaning Kuaihelani’s Shorelines

Tags Pacific Islands removal derelict fishing gear NWHI

Mission Accomplished: Cleaning Kuaihelani’s Shorelines emily.greene Thu, 05/23/2024 - 22:23

This month, 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. Learn more about the team's time on Kuaihelani! 

• Read more about Mission Accomplished: Cleaning Kuaihelani’s Shorelines

Tags Pacific Islands removal derelict fishing gear NWHI

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.

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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! 

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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!

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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

Kuaihelani: Taking a Closer Look at Marine Debris within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument emily.greene Tue, 04/16/2024 - 19:36

Kuaihelani, meaning “the backbone of heaven,” describes a mythical floating island in the sky, possibly originating from the large lagoons that reflect the sky. This atoll is a Wildlife Refuge and part of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The monument is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world to be classified for its cultural and ecological importance. Still, it’s also impacted by the large fishing nets, plastics, and other debris that wash up on its shores. This debris can significantly impact the atoll's wildlife and habitats, and its removal is a critical part of protecting the health and cultural heritage of this area.

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Tags removal NWHI

Congratulations to Our 2024 Art Contest Winners! madison.piascik Mon, 04/15/2024 - 11:15

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Annual 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.

• Read more about Congratulations to Our 2024 Art Contest Winners!

Tags art contest art education

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

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

• Read more about Special Funding Opportunity: Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention Program

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

A community clean up initiative (Photo: Mr. Bolota via Adobe Stock).

In This Issue 2024 Ocean Odyssey Awards April is Earth Month All The Tools You Need To Tackle Marine Debris Citizen Science Webinar Series Hawaiian Monk Seals Face the Threat of Derelict Fishing Fear Planet NOAA Podcast 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 2024 Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility

Check out the award receipients (Photo: Mr. Bolota via Adobe Stock).

The NOAA Marine Debris Program and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation are pleased to announce the 12 recipients of the Ocean Odyssey Fiscal Year 2024 Marine Debris Awards for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility, totaling over $84,000. These projects will support initiatives that investigate and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris in communities that are underserved, underrepresented, or overburdened. Check out the award recipients! 

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April is Earth Month

During a 2016 cleanup in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the team removed 3,140 bottle caps (Photo: NOAA).

Earth Day falls on April 22, but we are celebrating environmental stewardship and citizen science all month long! One of the environmental threats facing our planet is plastic. Plastic is the most abundant type of marine debris in our ocean, Great Lakes, and waterways. The source of plastic marine debris can come from human activities on land and at sea, or enter the environment through disasters. Once it’s in the environment, plastic causes problems for people, ecosystems, and our economy. Learn more about plastic and why it’s a problem. 

This Earth Month, you can be a part of the solution! Be sure to subscribe to our blog and follow our social media to stay up to date on ways to be an environmental steward.

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All The Tools You Need To Tackle Marine Debris

Debris is counted and sorted behind a wind break after being collected during training survey at Parque La Esperanza in Cataño Puerto Rico (Photo: NOAA).

Public participation in science goes by many names (“citizen science,” “community science,” and “volunteer monitoring” to name a few) and takes many forms. Through the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project, the NOAA Marine Debris Program partners with the public to conduct surveys on shorelines. These surveys are valuable scientific tools that are used to identify ways to prevent and track progress toward reduction of marine debris. Learn how to conduct a marine debris survey and gain firsthand experience with the issue, while collecting authentic scientific data!

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Citizen Science Webinar Series: Participatory Science in Marine Debris Monitoring

Watch the full webinar (Photo: NOAA Central Library).

Hillary Burgess, Monitoring Coordinator for the NOAA Marine Debris Program, shares how the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project, or MDMAP, engages NOAA partners and volunteers around the world to survey and record the amount and types of marine debris on shorelines. MDMAP aims to detect changes in the amount and type of marine debris, guide and evaluate prevention of marine debris, inspiring action, and to provide tools to partners to contribute and meet their own goals. Since it was launched in 2012, NOAA has invested in evaluating and improving MDMAP for greater impact with an emphasis on reducing barriers to participation. This talk presented by the NOAA Central Library explores how MDMAP navigates trade-offs in standardization and flexibility, ease of participation and rigor, and data quantity and quality.

Watch the Webinar Recording

Hawaiian Monk Seals Face the Threat of Derelict Fishing Gear

Monk seal juveniles interacting in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Photo: NOAA).

Hawaiian monk seals are endemic to Hawai‘i, meaning they are native to the islands and can only be found there. They are also endangered and have been listed under the Endangered Species Act since 1976. These seals are a vital part of the marine ecosystem in the Hawaiian islands and are an apex (or top) predator. Hawaiian monk seals face many threats caused by humans, including food limitation and habitat loss. However, one of their most significant threats is marine debris. Hawaiian monk seals are observed stuck in nets and fishing gear more than almost any other pinniped (seal, sea lion, or walrus) species.

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Planet NOAA Podcast: To The Stars and Beyond

Check out the podcast (Photo: NOAA/NASA).

The inaugural Planet NOAA Podcast kicked off in March with a highlight of a NOAA Marine Debris Program project with the University of Florida. Planet NOAA goes behind the NOAA headlines and explores conversations with scientists one-on-one. How does marine debris impact our waterways and how can we make a difference? With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, the University of Florida and Florida Sea Grant recently installed a marine debris capture device. Operation TRAP, or “Trash Reduction in Aquatic Preserves," is focused on capturing marine debris before it enters Florida waterways. 

You can learn more about the installation and Operation TRAP by listening to the Planet NOAA Podcast! 

Listen Here

 

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

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

All The Tools You Need To Tackle Marine Debris madison.piascik Wed, 04/03/2024 - 13:52

The NOAA Marine Debris Program has all of the tools to engage partners and volunteers around the world to survey and record the amount and types of marine debris on shorelines. Public participation in science goes by many names (“citizen science,” “community science,” and “volunteer monitoring” to name a  few) and takes many forms. Through the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP), the NOAA Marine Debris Program partners with the public to conduct surveys. These surveys are valuable scientific tools that are used to identify ways to prevent and track progress toward reduction of marine debris. Conducting a marine debris survey is also an engaging and empowering way to gain firsthand experience with the issue, while collecting authentic scientific data!

• Read more about All The Tools You Need To Tackle Marine Debris

Tags Citizen Science monitoring shoreline monitoring MDMAP

Hawaiian Monk Seals Face the Threat of Derelict Fishing Gear emily.greene Wed, 03/20/2024 - 13:15

Hawaiian monk seals face many threats caused by humans, including food limitation and habitat loss. However, one of their most significant threats is marine debris. Hawaiian monk seals are observed stuck in nets and fishing gear more than almost any other pinniped (seal, sea lion, or walrus) species. Seals can be entangled in all types of derelict fishing gear, including nets, lines, and hooks from non-commercial and commercial fishing. Entanglement can make it difficult for seals to breathe, hunt for food, and escape from predators, potentially leading to injury or death. Entanglement is seen more frequently in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

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Tags Pacific Islands entanglement removal

Miscellaneous derelict fishing gear and nets (Photo: NOAA).

In This Issue 2024 Southern New England Marine Debris Action Plan Marine Debris Leadership Academy Women's History Month Staff Spotlight: Jessica Conway 2024 Art Calendar 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.

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

Check out the full 2024 Southern New England Marine Debris Action Plan on our website!

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce the new Southern New England Marine Debris Action Plan is now available! This document is the result of a collaborative effort between the NOAA Marine Debris Program and partners across Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, including federal, state, and nongovernmental organizations, industry, and academia. It represents a partner-led effort to guide marine debris efforts in Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts through 2029.

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The Marine Debris Leadership Academy: Spanning Boundaries to Tackle Marine Debris in the Tijuana River Watershed

Participants on a site visit (Photo Credit: Megan Spitzer).

Located in Imperial Beach, California, the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve sees these challenges as opportunities to utilize trinational collaboration in addressing the social-ecological impacts of marine debris. With support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program provided through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act, the ResiDUOS project was created to collaboratively develop a community-driven circular economy pilot project, capture and characterize trash, remove debris in critical natural habitats, and develop a binational emergency response guide to flooding.

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March is Women’s History Month!

Celebrate the women who are working to solve the issue of marine debris (Photo: NOAA).

The Marina Club is a group of female students interested in environmental science and conservation at Puerto Rico’s Escuela Especializada en Ciencias, Matemática y Tecnología (CIMATEC). In 2020-2021, they created a series of videos on hurricanes and marine debris in Spanish, with the support of the NOAA Marine Debris Program and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The goal of this group of passionate changemakers is to educate and raise awareness about the dangers of marine debris, thereby helping the environment and  the community, and empowering other girls. 

El Club Marina es un grupo de estudiantes féminas interesadas en las ciencias ambientales y la conservación de la Escuela Especializada en Ciencias, Matemática y Tecnología (CIMATEC) de Puerto Rico. Entre el 2020 al 2021, crearon una serie de videos en español sobre huracanes y desechos marinos con el apoyo del Programa de Desechos Marinos de la NOAA y la Fundación Nacional de Santuario Marino. La meta de estas agentes de cambios apasionadas es educar y concientizar sobre los peligros de los desechos marinos, para ayudar al medio ambiente y a las comunidades, y empoderar a otras niñas.

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Staff Spotlight: Jessica Conway

Learn more about Jessica Conways's role as the NOAA Marine Debris Program response specialist (Photo: NOAA).

Jessica is a response specialist with the Marine Debris Program, which is in NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration. Jessica supports the Marine Debris Program's emergency response mission. In her role, she leads the development of response preparedness resources, including marine debris emergency response guides. It is a large collaborative project that helps improve the preparedness for and response to disasters that generate marine debris in coastal states and territories. She also plans and conducts response-related training and exercises for external stakeholders and for NOAA. Building relationships with response stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels.

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2024 Marine Debris Calendar is Available!

Check out the 2024 Marine Debris Calendar on our website!

The 2024 Marine Debris Calendar is still available. 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 10 states, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest. 

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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

The Marine Debris Leadership Academy: Spanning Boundaries to Tackle Marine Debris in the Tijuana River Watershed emily.greene Thu, 02/08/2024 - 20:58

Located in Imperial Beach, California, the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR) sees challenges as opportunities to utilize trinational collaboration in addressing the social-ecological impacts of marine debris. With support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program (NOAA MDP) provided through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act, the ResiDUOS project was created to collaboratively develop a community-driven circular economy pilot project, capture and characterize trash, remove debris in critical natural habitats, and develop a binational emergency response guide to flooding. 

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Tags prevention California