New Year, Same Goal: A Debris Free Florida neil.mccoy Wed, 01/04/2023 - 11:00

Florida is unique as the only state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. No matter where you are in the state, you’re never more than 60 miles from the nearest body of water. It also means that the daily choices and activities of Florida’s residents and visitors can easily lead to debris in our coastal and marine habitats. Luckily, our partners across the region are kicking off the New Year with renewed energy and effort in leading marine debris removal and prevention projects to keep Florida’s waters healthy and free of debris.

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Tags Florida prevention removal derelict fishing gear

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. 

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Tags emergency response Gulf of America removal

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 America removal

Mapping, Marking, and Mobilizing to Remove Derelict Fishing Gear from Delaware’s Inland Bays neil.mccoy Mon, 12/12/2022 - 11:00

The shallow, protected habitats of Delaware’s Inland Bays make for one of the most popular areas in the state for residents and tourists to try their hands at catching blue crabs. In boats or on the shore, recreational crabbers use all kinds of gear, from hand lines, to trot lines, to small traps with collapsible sides, and the Chesapeake style crab pot. Unfortunately, thousands of derelict crab pots have been left behind or lost, and are littered beneath the surface of the Inland Bays. The University of Delaware and Delaware Sea Grant, with funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, worked to address the issue by teaming up with recreational crabbers to remove derelict pots.

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Capturing Debris and Inspiring Action Along the Anacostia River neil.mccoy Thu, 12/08/2022 - 11:00

The Anacostia River has a long and important history. Today, the Anacostia River watershed is home to more than 800,000 people, encompassing portions of Washington, DC, and Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in Maryland. Unfortunately, each year hundreds of tons of trash from surrounding lands makes its way into the river. Nearby communities have been working hard to address this problem, and help guide overall reductions in trash and litter entering the river.

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Capturing Debris and Inspiring Action Along the Anacostia River neil.mccoy Thu, 12/08/2022 - 11:00

The Anacostia River has a long and important history. Today, the Anacostia River watershed is home to more than 800,000 people, encompassing portions of Washington, DC, and Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in Maryland. Unfortunately, each year hundreds of tons of trash from surrounding lands makes its way into the river. Nearby communities have been working hard to address this problem, and help guide overall reductions in trash and litter entering the river.

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Tags Mid-Atlantic prevention removal education

Derelict vessels being removed from New Jersey’s Weehawken Cove (Credit: Courtesy of the City of Hoboken).

In This Issue Annual Marine Debris Program Art Contest From Fellowship to Fellow Teammate! Making Progress on Marine Debris in the Mid-Atlantic Partners Take On Marine Debris Across the Southeast Hunting for Derelict Crab Traps Cleaning Up Hurricane Debris 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

2023 Marine Debris Calendar Available Online

The 2023 Marine Debris Calendar is 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.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Closing Soon: The Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest!

Artwork by Ella K. (Grade 2, Virginia), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

Are you a student or teacher who’s passionate about marine debris? Then get your art supplies ready, because there's still time to submit your entry to 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 by mail and electronically. Winning artwork will be featured in our 2024 Marine Debris Calendar! The 2023 Marine Debris Calendar featuring last year's winners is now available for download.

Art contest closes December 16th, 2022.

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From Fellowship to Fellow Teammate!

Tanya’s new professional adventure at California Sea Grant leverages her educational background and experiences gained through her fellowship and time with the NOAA Marine Debris Program (Credit: Tanya Torres).

In 2020, Tanya Torres began her Extension Fellowship with the NOAA Marine Debris Program to help implement marine debris projects and strategies in California. Over the course of her fellowship, she had the opportunity to lead a statewide marine debris action plan and support many strategic internal efforts. Now, Tanya reflects on her recent Extension Fellowship experience and explains how it was a catalyst for her current position as the California Sea Grant Marine Debris Research Associate with the Sea Grant Program.

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Making Progress on Marine Debris in the Mid-Atlantic

One of fourteen vessels successfully removed from New Jersey’s Weehawken Cove (Credit: Courtesy of the City of Hoboken).

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.

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Partners Take On Marine Debris Across the Southeast

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources successfully removes an old trap while testing out the accuracy of their derelict gear mapping surveys (Credit: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources).

Fall has finally brought cooler temperatures after a long, brutally hot summer in the Southeast. 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.

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On the Hunt for Derelict Crab Traps in South Carolina Coastal Waters

A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources biologist uses the side-scan sonar to map the Ashley River and identify derelict traps (Credit: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources).

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.

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Marine Debris Cleanup Efforts in North Carolina Continue Years After Hurricane Florence

A partially submerged abandoned vessel from Hurricane Florence is lifted with floats in an effort to remove and dispose of it (Credit: MainStream Divers).

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.

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NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2022

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

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 and dynamic 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.

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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.

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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Tags Southeast prevention removal

A northern fur seal behind piles of fishing ropes and lines on St. Paul Island, Alaska (Credit: Ocean Conservancy).

In This Issue Annual Marine Debris Program Art Contest A New Monitoring Toolbox Zooming in on Marine Debris in Alaska Coming Together to Tackle Marine Debris in Alaska Native American Heritage Month Resources for Teachers Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse 2023 Marine Debris Calendar Available Online

The 2023 Marine Debris Calendar is 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.

Learn More

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Now Open: The Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest!

Artwork by Ella K. (Grade 2, Virginia), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

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! The 2023 Marine Debris Calendar featuring last year's winners is now available for download.

Learn More

New Tools for Collecting and Exploring Marine Debris Data

An updated MDMAP Shoreline Survey Guide and other Monitoring Toolbox materials were released this year (Credit: NOAA).

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.

Learn More

A Different Kind of Remote Work - Zooming in on Marine Debris in Alaska

U.S. Forest Service staff removing debris to return to Yakutat for sorting and disposal (Credit: Kevin Forster, City and Borough of Yakutat).

Throughout the year, the NOAA Marine Debris Program will spotlight each region for an entire month. Take a look back at the Alaska projects we highlighted in October.

When people think of Alaska, many images may come to mind: jagged mountains, majestic glaciers, rugged shorelines, rich and diverse wildlife and habitats, and vast wilderness. Its position in the North Pacific makes it home to some of the most productive and critical fisheries in the United States, and the world. This same position, combined with its vast scale, ocean current, wind patterns, and the growing maritime transport and fishing activity in near and distant waters, also means huge amounts of marine debris arrive on Alaskan shorelines every year. Fortunately, there is an active, innovative, and dedicated community of individuals and organizations working on the issue across the state of Alaska.

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All In: How a Coastal Community in Alaska Comes Together to Tackle Marine Debris

The Aleut Community of Saint Paul Island Tribal Government is working to prevent plastic packing bands from becoming marine debris and harming seals (Permit 23896, Credit: Aleut Community of St. Paul Ecosystem Conservation Office).

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. With the support of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, we are carrying out a community based social marketing campaign to transform attitudes and behaviors around the use and disposal of plastic packing bands on St. Paul Island, and within the commercial fishing and packaging industries. Eliminating packing band pollution is a priority because of the high risk of injury and death they pose to marine wildlife.

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Partnering with Native Communities to Take On Marine Debris

Crab pots and other derelict fishing gear removed by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (Credit: Swinomish Indian Tribal Community).

This November, in celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, we are highlighting examples of collaboration with native communities, nations, and peoples.

Indigenous communities have a deep understanding of and relationship with the natural environment, which has fostered expert and nuanced traditional ecological knowledge, and shaped cultural practices and identity. NOAA recognizes the importance of indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge for understanding the environment, adapting to environmental change, and improving the health of environments that we all depend on. The Marine Debris Program is proud to work with indigenous communities in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to understand and reduce the impacts of marine debris through projects that prevent and remove marine debris. 

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Marine Debris Education Resources

Visit the Education section of our website to find marine debris lesson plans, activities, and other great teaching resources (Credit: Rick Houchin Photography).

Attention teachers and educators! We have a variety of great teaching resources ready to download if you're looking for extra materials for the school year. Our growing collection of curriculum materials include lesson plans, activities, and multimedia. Check out our marine debris resources for educators!

Learn More

 

NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2022

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

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.

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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.

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Tags removal prevention Alaska

Fishing floats and other shoreline debris collected in the Yakutat region of Alaska (Credit: City & Borough of Yakutat).

In This Issue Marine Debris Removal Funding Opportunity 14 New Projects Awarded Funding 2023 Marine Debris Calendar Report on Microfiber Pollution Zooming in on Marine Debris in Alaska Protecting Guam’s Marine Life Through Student Efforts Indigenous Peoples’ Day Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Deadline Extended: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Opportunity for Marine Debris Removal

A mass of derelict nets removed from the reefs surrounding Midway Atoll (Kuaihelani, Pihemanu) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Credit: NOAA).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce our Fiscal Year 2022 NOAA Marine Debris Removal notice of funding opportunity. Funding for this opportunity is provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $56 million to fund projects that remove marine debris to benefit marine and Great Lakes habitats and communities. This competition focuses on two priorities: removing large marine debris and using proven interception technologies to capture marine debris throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States.

The deadline has been extended and proposals are now due on Grants.gov on October 14, 2022, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Grant applicant guidance and resources are now available on the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.

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The NOAA Marine Debris Program Awards Funding to 14 New Projects

Plastic bags, fishing traps, buoys, and other debris on a New England shoreline (Credit: National Audubon Society Seabird Restoration Program).

Following a highly competitive review process, the NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce the 14 recipients of our 2022 Removal and Prevention Grant awards totaling nearly $3.7 million in federal funds, including funding provided through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act. Federal funding is matched by non-federal contributions, bringing the total investment in these marine debris projects to approximately $7.8 million.

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The 2023 Marine Debris Calendar Is Now Available!

Download the 2023 Marine Debris Calendar on our website now! (Cover art by Betty L., Grade 8, Florida).

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.

Feeling inspired to submit art for our next calendar? This year’s NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest officially opens on October 17th!

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Public Comment Open on a Draft Federal Report on Microfiber Pollution

On behalf of the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee, NOAA’s Marine Debris Program and EPA’s Trash Free Waters Program are pleased to share a draft Report on Microfiber Pollution, which is now available for public comment. Required by law, this report will provide Congress with an overview of the microfiber pollution issue, while also outlining a path forward for federal agencies, in partnership with other stakeholders, to address this problem. We invite comments, feedback, and recommendations on the draft Report on Microfiber Pollution, including Section 7, which contains a plan that outlines opportunities to reduce microfiber pollution.

Comments will be accepted until October 17, 2022. To learn how to submit a comment through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, please view the Federal Register Notice.

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A Different Kind of Remote Work - Zooming in on Marine Debris in Alaska

U.S. Forest Service staff removing debris to return to Yakutat for sorting and disposal (Credit: Kevin Forster, City and Borough of Yakutat).

When people think of Alaska, many images may come to mind: jagged mountains, majestic glaciers, rugged shorelines, rich and diverse wildlife and habitats, and vast wilderness. Its position in the North Pacific makes it home to some of the most productive and critical fisheries in the United States, and the world. This same position, combined with its vast scale, ocean current, wind patterns, and the growing maritime transport and fishing activity in near and distant waters, also means huge amounts of marine debris arrive on Alaskan shorelines every year. Fortunately, there is an active, innovative, and dedicated community of individuals and organizations working on the issue across the state of Alaska.

Learn More

From Ridge to Reef: Protecting Guam’s Marine Life Through Student Efforts

Recycling bins for plastic bottles and aluminum cans are implemented by the NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program and TREE Club at Simon Sanchez High School (Credit: J. Anitok).

With its crystal clear waters and rich coral reefs, Guam is undoubtedly a hidden paradise in the Pacific ocean. It is home to five protected marine preserves teeming with aquatic animals and plants. Everything on the island is connected, from the mountain ridges to the lively reefs, meaning that even the tiniest actions can offset the entire ecosystem. The Ocean Guardian School project at Simon A. Sanchez High School worked together with five other schools across the island to minimize impacts on the ecosystem and reduce potential sources of marine debris.

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Lives and Livelihoods Disrupted by Marine Debris

A cleanup crew sorts debris on St. Paul Island in 2019 (Credit: Aleut Community of St. Paul Island).

This month, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we want to share a past blog that highlights our partnerships with native communities and the important work being done to take on marine debris.

For some, marine debris may simply be an unsightly inconvenience, but for many people around the world it is a critical problem that can affect all aspects of life. This is particularly true for indigenous communities, whose deep understanding of and reliance on the natural environment and ocean, for subsistence, cultural connection, recreation, and economic opportunities, makes them especially aware of the damaging effects of marine debris. Community regional expertise on the impacts of marine debris and nuanced relationships with the environment shape many NOAA Marine Debris Program-supported projects around the country.

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NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2022

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

A Different Kind of Remote Work - Zooming in on Marine Debris in Alaska Shanelle.Naone Wed, 10/05/2022 - 11:00

When people think of Alaska, many images may come to mind: jagged mountains, majestic glaciers, rugged shorelines, rich and diverse wildlife and habitats, and vast wilderness. Its position in the North Pacific makes it home to some of the most productive and critical fisheries in the United States, and the world. This same position, combined with its vast scale, ocean current, wind patterns, and the growing maritime transport and fishing activity in near and distant waters, also means huge amounts of marine debris arrive on Alaskan shorelines every year. Fortunately, there is an active, innovative, and dedicated community of individuals and organizations working on the issue across the state of Alaska, ranging from the islands off of Southeast Alaska north to the Chukchi Sea.

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NOAA's Marine Debris Blog New Deadline Extension: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Opportunity for Marine Debris Removal October 3, 2022

Special Announcement: The deadline for proposals for our Fiscal Year 2022 NOAA Marine Debris Removal notice of funding opportunity has been extended to October 14, 2022, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Funding for this opportunity is provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $56 million to fund projects that remove marine debris to benefit marine and Great Lakes habitats and communities. This competition focuses on two priorities: removing large marine debris and using proven interception technologies to capture marine debris throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States.

Read the full post on NOAA's Marine Debris Blog

Marine Debris Program | Office of Response & Restoration | National Ocean Service | NOAA 

From Ridge to Reef: Protecting Guam’s Marine Life Through Student Efforts Shanelle.Naone Wed, 09/21/2022 - 11:00

With its crystal clear waters and rich coral reefs, Guam is undoubtedly a hidden paradise in the Pacific ocean. It is home to five protected marine preserves teeming with aquatic animals and plants. Everything on the island is connected, from the mountain ridges to the lively reefs, meaning that even the tiniest actions can offset the entire ecosystem. The Ocean Guardian School project at Simon A. Sanchez High School worked together with five other schools across the island to minimize impacts on the ecosystem and reduce potential sources of marine debris.

• Read more about From Ridge to Reef: Protecting Guam’s Marine Life Through Student Efforts

Tags prevention education Pacific Islands