Bering Strait Marine Debris Event Report

Beginning in July 2020, unusual amounts and types of marine debris washed ashore in the Bering Strait region of Alaska. Coastal communities were the direct responders to the event, removing the debris from their shorelines and worked to provide reports, images, and descriptions that created awareness of the event. The NOAA Marine Debris Program worked with local stakeholders and response agencies to share information, respond to the event, and identify opportunities for action. Following the event, the Program worked with these stakeholders to create the 2020 Bering Strait Debris Event Report, which documents the occurrence, impacts, observations, and lessons learned, in order to share experiences and improve the response to future debris events.