A Picturesque Town Harbor Restored through Marine Debris Removal jennifer.simms Thu, 05/21/2020 - 08:49

A perfect contrast: A once treasured and well-traveled vessel lays on her side along the shore of the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, North Carolina where wild horses graze, researchers discover, and school children learn about estuaries on nature hikes. Abandoned vessels, some left or forgotten by the owner and others remaining after storms, pose complex legal challenges that are often roadblocks to prevention and removal efforts (Spoiler alert: there is a happy ending for Beaufort, North Carolina!).

 

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Tags removal Southeast ADVs

A Picturesque Town Harbor Restored through Marine Debris Removal jennifer.simms Thu, 05/21/2020 - 08:49

A perfect contrast: A once treasured and well-traveled vessel lays on her side along the shore of the Rachel Carson Reserve in Beaufort, North Carolina where wild horses graze, researchers discover, and school children learn about estuaries on nature hikes. Abandoned vessels, some left or forgotten by the owner and others remaining after storms, pose complex legal challenges that are often roadblocks to prevention and removal efforts (Spoiler alert: there is a happy ending for Beaufort, North Carolina!).

 

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Tags removal Southeast ADVs

U.S. Virgin Islands Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: A New Comprehensive Guide for the Territory jennifer.simms Mon, 05/11/2020 - 07:34

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program is pleased to release the U.S. Virgin Islands Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: Comprehensive Guidance Document. The Guide is a product of a collaborative process with territorial and federal agencies.

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Tags emergency response Caribbean

Mitigating Marine Debris for World Migratory Bird Day jennifer.simms Wed, 05/06/2020 - 13:16

It’s almost World Migratory Bird Day! Coming up on Saturday, May 9, we are working with Environment for the Americas to raise awareness on the importance of migratory bird species and celebrate the ways they connect our world. Unfortunately, the world of birds and people can collide in the ocean and Great Lakes, where marine debris can be found in even the most remote places, including far-off islands where seabirds find shelter and breeding grounds.

 

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Tags removal Pacific Islands Northeast

The Challenges of Hurricanes and Marine Debris on Islands jennifer.simms Mon, 05/04/2020 - 11:47

Just imagine having the opportunity to wake up every day to the sound of waves, a myriad shades of blue, and warm, salty breezes…For an islander, there is no place you’d rather be! But what happens when nature shows its other face? The NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Florida and the Caribbean and Pacific Islands Regions include island communities that are uniquely impacted by natural disasters. Tropical islands are highly vulnerable to the impact of hurricanes and typhoons for many reasons, and one dangerous consequence is the amount of marine debris that is generated.

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Tags Pacific Islands emergency response Caribbean

2019 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards jennifer.simms Mon, 03/09/2020 - 13:17

Following a competitive review process, the NOAA Marine Debris Program and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation are pleased to announce the six recipients of the 2019 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund. The funds will go to coastal states and territories impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael, and Typhoon Yutu, totaling approximately $8.2 million in federal funds. Federal funding is supplemented by grantee matching contributions, bringing the total investment of these marine debris projects to approximately $8.6 million.

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Tags emergency response Florida Southeast Pacific Islands

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.

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Tags prevention holiday Gulf of America

Connected by the Sea and Combating Debris in the Pacific jennifer.simms Thu, 02/13/2020 - 15:39

The Pacific Ocean bonds and connects many islands and people throughout the region. These communities share in the art and science of traditional navigation, which has fostered an intimate attachment to the ocean over many generations. Today, these island communities also share in the struggle of mitigating marine debris as they work to protect the ocean.

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Tags removal prevention outreach ADVs research Pacific Islands

Gulf of Maine Marine Debris Action Plan Released jennifer.simms Tue, 11/26/2019 - 08:32

The NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) is pleased to share the Gulf of Maine Marine Debris Action Plan. This document is the result of a collaborative effort between the NOAA Marine Debris Program and partners in Canada, Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and represents a partner-led effort to guide marine debris actions in the Gulf of Maine for the next five years.

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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.

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Tags Gulf of America

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.

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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.

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Tags California Mid-Atlantic Gulf of America Great Lakes

Monitoring for Clean Beaches jennifer.simms Wed, 06/26/2019 - 11:29

Put on your flip-flops and let’s head to the beach! This week we are celebrating Clean Beaches Week and all of the great work our Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) participants are doing.

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Tags MDMAP monitoring shoreline monitoring Pacific Northwest

Removing Derelict Fishing Gear from Cape Cod Bay: Teachings from the Trash emma.tonge Tue, 06/18/2019 - 14:17

By Laura Ludwig, Center for Coastal Studies Marine Debris & Plastics Program

With the support of a NOAA Marine Debris Program Removal Grant, the team at the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS), located in Provincetown, Massachusetts, is mobilizing fishermen and volunteers to identify, document, and properly dispose of derelict fishing gear (DFG) from Cape Cod Bay and the Cape Cod National Seashore.

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Tags Northeast derelict fishing gear

Working Toward Marine Debris Solutions in New England emma.tonge Fri, 06/14/2019 - 10:31

From the nation’s oldest fishing port, to feeding grounds for endangered North Atlantic right whales, to a rapidly expanding aquaculture industry, New England’s productive coastlines provide so much for the people and animals who depend upon them. Our partners in the Northeast are working hard to give a little bit back by stopping marine debris at its source, removing existing debris, and educating local communities.

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Marine Debris Team Takes on Tons alexis.thorbecke Fri, 11/09/2018 - 09:38

How do you pull an entire space shuttle’s weight in marine debris out of one of the most remote parts of the ocean? The answer is teamwork. Last week, on October 29th, a mission ended to remove debris, mostly lost fishing nets, from the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. These lost nets are a huge entanglement risk to marine life and damage critical habitat. The three part mission involved two ships, five NOAA offices, and many more! Learn more about their journey and how they worked together to remove over 82 tons of debris from the these culturally and ecologically significant islands. 

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Tags Pacific Islands NWHI

Partnering for Monitoring Shanelle.Naone Thu, 07/19/2018 - 17:54

Since beginning in 2012, the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP) has brought forth invaluable data, which continues to increase our shared knowledge of marine debris. Partners from around the world have contributed to this dataset by conducting 4,421 surveys at 335 monitoring sites in nine countries. The NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) coordinates these efforts, which would not be possible without the dedication of MDMAP partners who lead the charge in collecting data through their passion for the ocean. Both new and experienced MDMAP partner organizations and volunteers contribute time, energy, and resources to expand our understanding of this global issue.

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Tags shoreline monitoring monitoring MDMAP

On a Mission to Monitor Shoreline Marine Debris Shanelle.Naone Wed, 07/18/2018 - 21:08

Marine debris is unfortunately an all too frequent sight on our coastlines. A common misconception is that all shoreline debris was left behind by beachgoers. In fact, debris makes its was to the beach from many different sources, including the sea, stormwater runnoff, wind, and nearby river or stream outlets. If you spend time exploring shorelines in different regions, you may notice that the types and amounts of debris are different from place to place (and constantly changing!).

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Tags monitoring shoreline monitoring MDMAP

Clean Beaches for All Shanelle.Naone Fri, 06/29/2018 - 16:48

As much as we enjoy beaches for swimming, picnics, and fun in the sun, they are also home to diverse marine and land animals. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, is the largest fully protected marine conservation area on the planet. Its shores and land provide an important habitat to many unique animals. The Monument is home to a total of 23 species that are listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, including the threatened Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, endangered Hawaiian monk seal, and the critically endangered Laysan Duck.

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Tags NWHI removal

Monitoring Marine Debris krista.e.stegemann Thu, 03/08/2018 - 11:00

We’re spending March talking all about marine debris and its types, sources, impacts, and solutions. Tune in throughout the month to learn more about this important topic and how we can all be part of the effort to make our lives and our ocean #DebrisFree.

How big is the marine debris problem? How has it changed over time? What types of debris are most common in my region? These are all important questions to ask when tackling the marine debris issue and to get the answers, we turn to marine debris monitoring.

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Tags #DebrisFree monitoring