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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.

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Tags prevention education Pacific Islands

Volunteers clean up debris on Kahuku Beach on O'ahu during a 2016 International Coastal Cleanup event (Credit: NOAA).

In This Issue Marine Debris Removal Funding Opportunity 7IMDC Program Now Available Removing Marine Debris from Washington's Olympic Coast Derelict Crab Pots in Washington’s Salish Sea Expanding Nurdle Patrol  International Coastal Cleanup Resources for Teachers 2022 Calendar Available Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse 2022 Marine Debris Calendar Available Online

The 2022 Marine Debris Calendar is still available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in kindergarten through eighth grade from eight 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 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 5, 2022, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Grant applicant guidance and resources are now available on the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.

Learn More

Final Day to Register for 7IMDC Conference

Check out the 7IMDC Provisional Conference Program and Schedule now (Credit: NOAA).

The 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) will take place September 18-23, 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This conference is one of the world’s largest and longest-running events dedicated to the issue of marine debris. The 7IMDC is organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Registration for the 7IMDC closes September 1, 2022. The Provisional Conference Program is now available.

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Remove, Recycle, Restore: Salish Synergy in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

A remote area with marine debris collected from near Lake Ozette, Washington, by hikers and deposited away from the beach (Credit: National Marine Sanctuary Foundation).

In recent years, increasing amounts of marine debris littering the shores of Washington’s wilderness beaches have caused concern in the conservation community. Salish Synergy: Cross-Border Debris Removal and Recycling, an ambitious new project led by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and funded by the NOAA Marine Debris Program, aims to remove 35,000 pounds of marine debris from Washington’s outer coast annually.

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Eliminating Threats of Derelict Crab Pots in Washington’s Salish Sea

The Northwest Straits Foundation Field Operations Manager pulls a derelict crab pot onboard (Credit: NOAA).

The wonders of Washington’s Salish Sea are easy to find. A day exploring here can include roaming a shoreline digging for clams while one of the region's many snowcapped mountains loom in the background, catching salmon, pulling up pots full of Dungeness crab, or traversing the majestic San Juan Archipelago. Yet, underneath the waters of the Salish Sea lies a hidden threat to the ecosystem; lost and abandoned fishing nets and crab pots on the seafloor that degrade marine habitat and entangle and capture marine life with no one there to harvest them. The Northwest Straits Foundation has been working to eliminate this threat by removing lost gear, researching impacts and solutions, and educating fishers on best practices to avoid losing gear.

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Expanding Nurdle Patrol from Texas to Mexico

A Nurdle Patrol team member shows nurdle sizes, shapes, and colors (Credit: Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve Staff).

Small plastic pellets, or nurdles, are the raw material for almost everything made of plastic. Unfortunately, before they make it to plastic production, they can be released into the environment where they pollute habitats and harm wildlife. With a grant from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Nurdle Patrol, a citizen science project run by the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas, is expanding efforts throughout Mexico.

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Sea the Change: 2022 International Coastal Cleanup Coming Soon

Volunteers haul out trash collected during the 2017 International Coastal Cleanup event on Kingman Island, Washington D.C. (Credit: NOAA).

It’s almost that time of year—time for the annual International Coastal Cleanup! The Ocean Conservancy brings people together around the globe for this event to clean up marine debris in their local communities, and the NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to have supported the International Coastal Cleanup for over 15 years. To find a cleanup near you, and steps for staying safe while collecting debris, check out Ocean Conservancy's website.

Tackle Marine Debris in the Classroom!

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 for the new 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

Remove, Recycle, Restore: Salish Synergy in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary Shanelle.Naone Wed, 08/31/2022 - 11:00

In recent years, increasing amounts of marine debris littering the shores of Washington’s wilderness beaches have caused concern in the conservation community. Salish Synergy: Cross-Border Debris Removal and Recycling, an ambitious new project led by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and funded by the NOAA Marine Debris Program, aims to remove 35,000 pounds of marine debris from Washington’s outer coast annually.  

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Tags Pacific Northwest removal

Expanding Nurdle Patrol from Texas to Mexico neil.mccoy Thu, 08/25/2022 - 11:00

Small plastic pellets, or nurdles, are the raw material for almost everything made of plastic. Unfortunately, before they make it to plastic production, they can be released into the environment where they pollute habitats and harm wildlife. With a grant from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Nurdle Patrol, a citizen science project run by the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas, Texas, is expanding efforts throughout Mexico.

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Tags Gulf of America prevention

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NOAA's Marine Debris Blog Deadline Extended: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Opportunity for Marine Debris Removal August 16, 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 5, 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 

Eliminating Threats of Derelict Crab Pots in Washington’s Salish Sea Shanelle.Naone Wed, 08/10/2022 - 11:00

The wonders of Washington’s Salish Sea are easy to find. A day exploring here can include roaming a shoreline digging for clams while one of the region's many snowcapped mountains loom in the background, catching salmon, pulling up pots full of Dungeness crab, or traversing the majestic San Juan Archipelago. Yet, underneath the waters of the Salish Sea lies a hidden threat to the ecosystem; lost and abandoned fishing nets and crab pots on the seafloor that degrade marine habitat and entangle and capture marine life with no one there to harvest them. Living in this area comes with the responsibility to protect its beauty and the resources it provides.

• Read more about Eliminating Threats of Derelict Crab Pots in Washington’s Salish Sea

Tags Pacific Northwest derelict crab pots removal

Abandoned crab traps collected by volunteers from a Texas bay (Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

In This Issue New Marine Debris Removal Funding Opportunity 7IMDC Program Now Available Protecting Pacific Northwest Shorelines Taking on Debris Big and Small in the Gulf of Mexico Land-based Marine Debris 2022 Calendar Available Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse 2022 Marine Debris Calendar Available Online

The 2022 Marine Debris Calendar is still available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in kindergarten through eighth grade from eight 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: 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.

Proposals are due on Grants.gov on September 30, 2022, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Grant applicant guidance and resources are now available on the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.

Learn More

7IMDC Conference Program Now Available

Check out the 7IMDC Provisional Conference Program and Schedule now (Credit: NOAA).

The 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) will take place September 18-23, 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This conference is one of the world’s largest and longest-running events dedicated to the issue of marine debris. The 7IMDC is organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Registration for the 7IMDC is still open and the Provisional Conference Program is now available.

Learn More

Protecting Pacific Northwest Shorelines: A Committed Community

A large tangle of packing straps associated with commercial fishing that was found in Long Beach Washington within the Willapa Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Credit: GrassRoots Garbage Gang).

Oregon and Washington contain some of the most remote and ecologically diverse coasts in the continental United States. These waters teem with fish and marine mammals, and support tourism and vital subsistence, commercial, and recreational fisheries. Marine debris can be harmful to these waters and all that rely on it. These threats could be derelict fishing gear that entangles and catches marine life, or it could also be large debris such as derelict vessels that have sunk or been improperly disposed of. The NOAA Marine Debris Program partners with community members and organizations in the Pacific Northwest who are committed to preventing and removing these and other types of marine debris.

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Taking on Debris Big and Small in the Gulf of Mexico

A derelict abandoned houseboat on the Pascagoula River (Credit: Fishing for Trash).

The Gulf of Mexico is a vast and productive body of water spanning 600,000 square miles with tremendous ecological, economic, and social value. The vast Gulf provides essential habitat for an amazing diversity of fish, whales, dolphins, and species of migratory, wading, and sea birds. The region also supports numerous sport and commercial fisheries that rely on healthy, thriving coastal waters. Unfortunately, marine debris impacts habitats, wildlife, and industries throughout the Gulf of Mexico. In order to address the issue of marine debris, from large hurricane debris to tiny microplastics, the region needs a comprehensive approach that brings together many partners.

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Land-based Marine Debris Makes Its Way to the Ocean and Great Lakes

When trash is disposed of in overflowing trash cans, it can be blown into nearby waterways (Credit: NOAA).

If you're enjoying your summer break near an ocean beach or on a lake shoreline, you've probably noticed some unsightly trash in the water or on the shore. Some of that trash came with the summer crowds, but there are several other sources of marine debris. Many human activities, even in cities far from the coast, generate debris that makes its way from land to sea.

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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

Protecting Pacific Northwest Shorelines: A Committed Community Shanelle.Naone Wed, 08/03/2022 - 11:00

Oregon and Washington contain some of the most remote and ecologically diverse coasts in the continental United States. These waters teem with fish and marine mammals, and support tourism and vital subsistence, commercial, and recreational fisheries. Marine debris can be harmful to these waters and all that rely on it. These threats could be derelict fishing gear that entangles and catches marine life, or it could also be large debris such as derelict vessels that have sunk or been improperly disposed of. The NOAA Marine Debris Program partners with community members and organizations in the Pacific Northwest who are committed to preventing and removing these and other types of marine debris.

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Tags Pacific Northwest removal prevention

Taking on Debris Big and Small in the Gulf of Mexico Shanelle.Naone Wed, 07/13/2022 - 11:00

The Gulf of Mexico is a vast and productive body of water spanning 600,000 square miles with tremendous ecological, economic, and social value. The vast Gulf provides essential habitat for an amazing diversity of fish, whales, dolphins, and species of migratory, wading, and sea birds. Unfortunately, marine debris impacts habitats, wildlife, and industries throughout the Gulf of Mexico. In order to address the issue of marine debris, from large hurricane debris to tiny microplastics, the region needs a comprehensive approach that brings together many partners.

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Tags Gulf of America prevention removal

A derelict lobster trap discovered on a remote shoreline in the Channel Islands, California (Credit: NOAA).

In This Issue New Marine Debris Removal Funding Opportunity 7IMDC Program Now Available Conservation in the Channel Islands Habitat Damage from Marine Debris 2022 Calendar Available Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse 2022 Marine Debris Calendar Available Online

The 2022 Marine Debris Calendar is still available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in kindergarten through eighth grade from eight 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: 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.

Proposals are due on Grants.gov on September 30, 2022, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time and an applicant webinar will be hosted on July 14, 2022, 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Learn More

7IMDC Conference Program Now Available

Check out the 7IMDC Provisional Conference Programme and Schedule now (Credit: NOAA).

The 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) will take place September 18-23, 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This conference is one of the world’s largest and longest-running events dedicated to the issue of marine debris. The 7IMDC is organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Registration for the 7IMDC is still open and the Provisional Conference Program is now available.

Learn More

Channeling Conservation in the Channel Islands

Staff from California State University Channel Islands Santa Rosa Island Research Station carries lobster traps removed from Santa Rosa Island on a frame backpack (Credit: NOAA).

How do you tackle the issue of marine debris in remote locations? Tag along with us to the rugged shores of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Channel Islands National Park to learn about marine debris monitoring, research, and removal efforts. This project is led by our partners at California State University Channel Islands Santa Rosa Island Research Station, who have been working to monitor and remove marine debris from Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands since 2015.

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The Damaging Effects of Marine Debris on Habitats

A fishing net tangled in the roots of a mangrove tree in the St. Thomas East End Reserves, a marine protected area in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (Credit: Kristin Wilson Grimes).

We know that marine debris can cause serious problems for marine wildlife, but it can also damage the places they live, or their habitats. Learn how marine debris damages coral reefs, mangroves, the deep sea, and other habitats, and why this is also a problem for people.

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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

Channeling Conservation in the Channel Islands: One Lobster Trap, Balloon, and Piece of Plastic at a Time Shanelle.Naone Thu, 06/23/2022 - 17:00

Staff, faculty, and students at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) Santa Rosa Island Research Station have been working to monitor and remove marine debris from portions of Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz Islands since 2015. With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, over 7,500 pounds of debris have been removed from the islands since 2020. This three-year project is an extension of past research and collaborative efforts of partners across the Channel Islands. CSUCI invited the NOAA Marine Debris Program California Regional Coordinator and the program’s California Sea Grant Extension Fellow for a week-long site visit to remove and assess the amounts, types, and sources of marine debris on Santa Rosa Island.

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Tags California removal

A seal swims by discarded fishing nets that cover a coral reef in waters off Hawai'i (Credit: NOAA).

In This Issue Marine Debris Removal Funding National Ocean Month Register for the 7th International Marine Debris Conference Preventing Hurricane Debris A Debris Free Gulf of Maine Microplastics for Dinner? Projects in the Northeast Long Island Sound Marine Debris Action Plan Released Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
Monitoring Toolbox
In Your Region
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse 2022 Marine Debris Calendar Available Online

The 2022 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in kindergarten through eighth grade from eight 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 Special Funding Opportunity: Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund

Damaged vessels and other marine debris were left in the wake of Hurricane Sally in coastal Alabama (Credit: NOAA).

We are pleased to announce, with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a request for proposals under the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund is now open through June 29. The program will primarily fund marine debris assessment, removal, restoration, and disposal activities in coastal communities in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the western Florida Panhandle.

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Celebrate National Ocean Month

Artwork by Rose L. (Grade 2, Virginia), winner of the 2021 NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest. Rose's artwork appears in June in the 2022 Marine Debris Calendar.

June is National Ocean Month, and we will spend the month celebrating everything we love about the ocean. Throughout the month we'll focus on the ways that marine debris impacts ocean habitats, marine wildlife, and our economy. You can explore all these topics and more on our website.

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Registration Open for the 7th International Marine Debris Conference

Registration is now open for the 7th International Marine Debris Conference. Learn more about fees, online options, and discounts.

The 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) will take place September 18-23, 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This conference is one of the world’s largest and longest-running events dedicated to the issue of marine debris. The 7IMDC is organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Registration for the 7IMDC is now open! Take advantage of student and online-only registration discounts.

Taking the Lead to Prevent Hurricane Debris

Derelict vessels and other debris in a Panama City marina following Hurricane Michael (Credit: NOAA).

The 2022 hurricane season is here, and we are sharing NOAA Marine Debris Program resources to help you prepare for storms and prevent storm-generated debris from accumulating in waterways and on shorelines. Hurricanes and typhoons are among nature's most powerful and destructive events, and when these natural disasters strike they can create massive amounts of debris. That’s why the NOAA Marine Debris Program is working with coastal states and U.S. territories to help communities prepare for hurricanes and prevent and respond to marine debris.

Learn More

International Collaboration for a Debris Free Gulf of Maine

Wharf-side rope disposal bin in Lord’s Cove, Deer Island, New Brunswick (Credit: Jackie Walker).

The Gulf of Maine, which extends from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Cod Bay, is one of the most dynamic and productive marine ecosystems in the world. With its unique coastal habitats and rich waters, the region supports a variety of wildlife from migratory shorebirds to fish, shellfish, and marine mammals. It also provides valuable economic, cultural, and recreational opportunities for people who call the Gulf of Maine home. Unfortunately, marine debris from human-made materials, such as plastics and derelict fishing gear, can damage ocean and coastal habitat and harm wildlife through entanglement and ingestion.

Learn More

Microplastics for Dinner? A Story About Picky Eaters

An oyster being exposed to microplastics in the laboratory (Credit: Kayla Mladinich).

Plastic particles less than 5mm in size, known as microplastics, are found everywhere that scientists have looked, including in the coastal waters of New England. The eastern oyster is an important commercial aquaculture species that has been shown to eat microplastics. In partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, marine scientists at the University of Connecticut sampled oysters in the field and performed a series of selection experiments in the laboratory to determine what types of microplastics oysters prefer to eat or reject and how that relates to what is in the natural environment.

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Springing Into Action in the Northeast

Fishing gear can become lost in the marine environment due to storm action, propellers, interaction with mobile fishing gear, and deteriorating lines (Credit: NOAA).

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

As temperatures continue to warm, summertime energy is evident across the Northeast Region. Though planning, cleanups, debris sorting, outreach, and research have been ongoing all winter, the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s grant-funded partners across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut are ramping up for the summer field season and we have a lot to share!

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2022 Long Island Sound Marine Debris Action Plan Released

Check out the new Long Island Marine Debris Action Plan!

We are pleased to share with Connecticut and New York Sea Grant the 2022 Long Island Sound Marine Debris Action Plan. This framework of strategic actions aims to mitigate the impacts of marine debris on Long Island Sound, its coasts, watersheds, people, and wildlife. A bi-state marine debris planning team, led by the Connecticut and New York Sea Grant programs under the guidance of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, co-developed the plan over a 24-month period in collaboration with numerous stakeholders. This Action Plan encompasses work that will be undertaken over the next five years.

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

International Collaboration for a Debris Free Gulf of Maine neil.mccoy Thu, 05/26/2022 - 11:00

The Gulf of Maine, which extends from the Bay of Fundy to Cape Cod Bay, is one of the most dynamic and productive marine ecosystems in the world. With its unique coastal habitats and rich waters, the region supports a variety of wildlife from migratory shorebirds to fish, shellfish, and marine mammals. It also provides valuable economic, cultural, and recreational opportunities for people who call the Gulf of Maine home. Unfortunately, marine debris from human-made materials, such as plastics and derelict fishing gear, can damage ocean and coastal habitat and harm wildlife through entanglement and ingestion.

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Tags Northeast removal prevention

Microplastics for Dinner? A Story About Picky Eaters neil.mccoy Thu, 05/19/2022 - 11:00

Plastic particles less than 5mm in size, known as microplastics, are found everywhere that scientists have looked, including in the coastal waters of New England. The eastern oyster is an important commercial aquaculture species that has been shown to eat microplastics. In partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, marine scientists at the University of Connecticut sampled oysters in the field and performed a series of selection experiments in the laboratory to determine what types of microplastics oysters prefer to eat or reject and how that relates to what is in the natural environment.

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Tags research Northeast microplastics

A mass of rope and derelict fishing gear that washed ashore in Rockport, Massachusetts (Credit: NOAA).

In This Issue Art Contest Winners! 7th International Marine Debris Conference Opens Registration Springing Into Action in the Northeast Caribbean Communities Come Together Against Marine Debris Hurricane Preparedness How Marine Debris Travels Gifts for Mother’s Day and Mother Earth World Migratory Bird Day Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
MDMAP Toolbox
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse 2022 Marine Debris Calendar Available Online

The 2022 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in kindergarten through eighth grade from eight states and two U.S. territories, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest.

Learn More

Marine Debris Tracker Mobile Application

Make a difference by using the Marine Debris Tracker app to record debris items you find.

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Congratulations to Our 2022 Art Contest Winners!

Artwork by Betty L. (Grade 8, Florida), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

We are pleased to announce the winners of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest! We received many colorful, fun, 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.

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Registration Now Open for the 7th International Marine Debris Conference

Registration is now open for the 7th International Marine Debris Conference. Learn more about fees, online options, and discounts.

The 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) will take place September 18-23, 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This conference is one of the world’s largest and longest-running events dedicated to the issue of marine debris. The 7IMDC is organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Registration for the 7IMDC is now open! Take advantage of early bird, student, and online-only registration discounts.

Springing Into Action in the Northeast

Fishing gear can become lost in the marine environment due to storm action, propellers, interaction with mobile fishing gear, and deteriorating lines (Credit: NOAA).

As temperatures slowly warm, and the Earth begins to thaw, springtime energy is evident across the Northeast Region. Though planning, cleanups, debris sorting, outreach, and research have been ongoing all winter, the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s grant-funded partners across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut are ramping up for the summer field season and we have a lot to share!

Learn More

Caribbean Communities Come Together Against Marine Debris

A vessel left beached after the wake of Hurricane Irma in the U.S. Virgin Islands (Credit: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources).

The picturesque islands in the Caribbean can be considered the perfect dream vacation getaway for many, but this natural paradise isn’t free from the issues of marine debris. Islands in the Caribbean are vulnerable to hurricanes, and communities are often impacted by disaster debris. Other factors, such as a dependence on imported goods and solid waste management challenges, increase the chance of unwanted debris littering their coasts. With the support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, our partners in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are passionately working to remove existing debris, develop strategies to prevent future marine debris, and create tools that empower communities to take local action.

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Taking the Lead to Prevent Hurricane Debris

Derelict vessels and other debris in a Panama City marina following Hurricane Michael (Credit: NOAA).

It’s National Hurricane Preparedness Week! As we approach the 2022 hurricane season, we are sharing NOAA Marine Debris Program resources to help you prepare for storms and prevent storm-generated debris from accumulating in waterways and on shorelines. Hurricanes and typhoons are among nature's most powerful and destructive events, and when these natural disasters strike they can create massive amounts of debris. That’s why the NOAA Marine Debris Program is participating in Hurricane Preparedness Week and working with coastal states and U.S. territories to help communities prepare for hurricanes and prevent and respond to marine debris.

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How Marine Debris Travels

Trash can become marine debris when it's not disposed of properly, such as being added to an overflowing trash can. Winds and rains can easily carry it into nearby waters (Credit: NOAA).

People aren’t the only ones who travel the world! A simple plastic bottle can easily travel from inland areas into the far reaches of our ocean as marine debris. Picture a lovely summer day. The park is full of happy people enjoying themselves. A few stop at a local restaurant and pick up take-out or drinks to eat outside. Some of them get ready to responsibly dispose of their trash in the appropriate bin, only to find that it’s full! They neatly place their waste on top of the growing pile around the trash can. After all, we’re miles from the ocean—how far could this one bottle even go?

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Gifts for Mother’s Day and Mother Earth

Plants are a great Mother’s Day gift… not only do they add color and texture to your home or yard, they are great for Mother Earth by capturing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. A win-win for everyone! (Credit: NOAA)

April showers bring May flowers… and Mother’s Day! This year, in addition to celebrating mom and all the wonderful women in your life, let’s also share a little love with Mother Earth by reducing waste and the potential for creating marine debris. Take a look back at this blog that highlights some ways you can shower any mother with love.

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World Migratory Bird Day

A group of boobies sit on top of a mass of derelict fishing nets while the marine debris team works in the background (Credit: NOAA).

It’s almost World Migratory Bird Day! Coming up on Saturday, May 14, we are highlighting the importance of migratory bird species and celebrating 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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NOAA Marine Debris Program   |   https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/   |   2022

1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov

Taking the Lead to Prevent Hurricane Debris neil.mccoy Thu, 05/05/2022 - 11:00

As we approach the 2022 hurricane season, we are sharing NOAA Marine Debris Program resources to help you prepare for storms and prevent storm-generated debris from accumulating in waterways and on shorelines. Hurricanes and typhoons are among nature's most powerful and destructive events, and when these natural disasters strike they can create massive amounts of debris. That’s why the NOAA Marine Debris Program is participating in Hurricane Preparedness Week and working with coastal states and U.S. territories to help communities prepare for hurricanes and prevent and respond to marine debris.

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Tags emergency response

Springing Into Action in the Northeast neil.mccoy Wed, 05/04/2022 - 11:00

As temperatures slowly warm, and the Earth begins to thaw, springtime energy is evident across the Northeast Region. Though planning, cleanups, debris sorting, outreach, and research have been ongoing all winter, the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s grant-funded partners across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut are ramping up for the summer field season and we have a lot to share!

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Tags Northeast removal prevention

Caribbean Communities Come Together Against Marine Debris neil.mccoy Tue, 04/26/2022 - 11:00

The picturesque islands in the Caribbean can be considered the perfect dream vacation getaway for many, but this natural paradise isn’t free from the issues of marine debris. Islands in the Caribbean are vulnerable to hurricanes, and communities are often impacted by disaster debris. Other factors, such as a dependence on imported goods and solid waste management challenges, increase the chance of unwanted debris littering their coasts. With the support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, our partners in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico are passionately working to remove existing debris, develop strategies to prevent future marine debris, and create tools that empower communities to take local action.

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Tags prevention removal Caribbean

Divers work to remove rope from a sensitive reef habitat in the Florida Keys (Credit: Kurt Tidd, Key Dives).

In This Issue Marine Debris Foundation Board of Directors 7th International Marine Debris Conference Call for Abstracts Marine Debris Efforts in the Sunshine State Now Available: The Salvaging Solutions Webinar Series Preventing Cigarette Litter in San Francisco 2022 Ohio Marine Debris Art Challenge Citizen Scientists Can Help Monitor Shorelines Celebrate Earth Day Quick Links Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
MDMAP Toolbox
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse 2022 Marine Debris Calendar Available Online

The 2022 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in kindergarten through eighth grade from eight states and two U.S. territories, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest.

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Marine Debris Tracker Mobile Application

Make a difference by using the Marine Debris Tracker app to record debris items you find.

Want to hear more from the NOAA MDP? Follow us on: @NOAAMarineDebris @NOAADebris @NOAADebris Website & Blog Marine Debris Program Announces the Inaugural Marine Debris Foundation Board of Directors

Glass bottles, plastic waste, and other debris litter a beach (Credit: NOAA).

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce the inaugural Board of Directors of the new Marine Debris Foundation. NOAA selected twelve individuals to represent diverse points of view, expertise, education, and experiences relating to the assessment, prevention, reduction, and removal of marine debris. This distinguished group will help the Marine Debris Foundation to begin operations and start augmenting federal efforts to address marine debris.

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The 7th International Marine Debris Conference Call for Abstracts and Posters

The 7th International Marine Debris Conference launched its Call for Abstracts and Posters.

The 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) will take place September 18-23, 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This conference is one of the world’s largest and longest-running events dedicated to the issue of marine debris. The 7IMDC is organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The 7IMDC launched its Call for Abstracts and Posters, with a closing date of April 29, 2022.

Shining Light on Marine Debris Efforts in the Sunshine State

Divers use lift bags to remove a derelict trap from the seafloor (Credit: Sean Davis).

Florida, also known as the Sunshine State, is home to the only living barrier reef in the continental United States and over 650 miles of scenic coastlines. Unfortunately, underwater debris, such as lost traps and fishing gear, causes damage to these fragile ecosystems and impacts local fishing, tourism, and recreational industries. The NOAA Marine Debris Program and our partners across the state are working on debris removal and prevention efforts to keep these important ecosystems healthy and free of debris.

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Now Available: The Full Salvaging Solutions to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Webinar Series

A sailboat grounded in Florida (Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission).

Over the past year, experts from across the country shared their experiences, solutions, and lessons learned through our Salvaging Solutions to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels monthly webinar series to help communities facing abandoned and derelict vessel issues. We are pleased to share that the full webinar series is now available on our website. 

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Preventing Cigarette Litter in San Francisco

Local businesses provide free pocket ashtrays to smokers (Credit: Le Beau Market).

Much of San Francisco’s beauty comes from its stunning location, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. San Francisco is also the second-most densely populated city in the United States and one of the country’s most-visited destinations. With so many people near so much water, the marine environment is especially vulnerable to all forms of human-made pollution, including cigarette butts, the most littered item in San Francisco and around the world.

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The 2022 Ohio Marine Debris Art Challenge: Turn Trash into Artwork!

Bottle caps, straws, cigarette butts, and other debris removed from the shoreline of Lake Erie in Ohio (Credit: NOAA).

In order to help raise awareness of the issue of marine debris in the Great Lakes, we’re excited to be offering the Ohio Marine Debris Art Challenge for students in grades 6-12 in coastal Ohio! After learning about marine debris in the ocean and Great Lakes, and how we all may be contributing with our trash, students will create marine debris artwork from repurposed trash to showcase the impacts of marine debris on Lake Erie wildlife.

The Ohio Marine Debris Art Challenge is ending soon! Entries are due on April 15, 2022.

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Join Our Shoreline Monitoring Effort This Citizen Science Month!

Check out our Monitoring Toolbox to learn how you can monitor your favorite stretch of shoreline (Credit: NOAA).

April is Citizen Science Month and a wonderful opportunity to head outdoors and participate in meaningful science! Citizen scientists have such a big impact on the success of our marine debris monitoring efforts and on our vision of a sea free of debris. Find out more about the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project and how you can get involved in monitoring a shoreline near you!

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Celebrate Earth Day and Make a Difference

A beachcomber collecting marine debris along a shore in the Wells Reserve at Laudholm, a National Estuarine Research Reserve in Maine (Credit: Wells Reserve at Laudholm).

Earth Day is right around the corner, and this month is the perfect time to find opportunities to make a positive difference. Whether you’re out participating in a local cleanup, prioritizing recycling and reusing materials, or changing habits in your daily life, there are so many ways you can help prevent and reduce marine debris.

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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