Marine Debris Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Fact Sheet

Marine debris is an everyday problem, but natural disasters have the potential to make it worse. Hurricanes and tropical storms, tsunamis, floods, and landslides that impact U.S. coasts can be an overwhelming source of marine debris. High winds, storm surges, and heavy rains drag household products and hazardous waste, construction debris into the surrounding waters. Natural disasters can also create abandoned and derelict vessels and move fishing and aquaculture devices around. This debris can be a hazard to navigation, damage habitat, and pose pollution threats. This document outlines how the NOAA Marine Debris Program can mitigate these impacts by facilitating response planning efforts in coastal states.