Videos

Watch videos for information on marine debris and NOAA's work to address it.

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Project Highlights

Two crabbers hook a rusty trap and pull it out of the water into a boat on a gray day.

The Benefits of Derelict Trap Removal: Industry Perspectives

William and Mary's Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is leading a national competitive grant program for the removal of derelict fishing traps, creating a national database for data collection, and assessing potential solutions to the environmental and economic impacts of lost gear. The multi-cycle competitive grant program is part of the Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) program. Trap removal supports commercial fisheries, ecotourism, and coastal economies.
A barge being used to remove a sunken crane from a waterway.

Removing Large Debris to Improve Providence’s Working Waterfront

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management removed a 114 foot-long abandoned Navy barge from the Port of Providence, Rhode Island.
An excavator breaking down a derelict vessel and moving debris into a dumpster.

Deconstructing Derelict Vessels in Washington Waters

Owning a boat comes with significant maintenance and repair costs that can become overwhelming for owners, sometimes leading to vessel neglect or abandonment. To address this issue, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, with support from a 2024 award from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, is removing derelict vessels from Puget Sound and supporting prevention efforts through its voluntary Vessel Turn-In Program.

Marine Debris 101

Cartoon scuba diver in sea with debris.

TRASH TALK: What is Marine Debris?

Marine debris is one of the biggest pollution problems facing the world's oceans and waterways today.

Earth showing garbage patch circulation in the Pacific ocean.

TRASH TALK: What is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?

It’s not a floating island of trash, like a garbage dump or a landfill. It’s also not the only patch. They exist all throughout the ocean, and the Pacific Garbage Patch just happens to be the most famous.

NOAA Divers free turtle

NOAA Divers Free Green Sea Turtle from Net in Hawaii

In October 2014, a team of 17 NOAA divers sailing aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette returned from a mission to remove marine debris from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawaii, a World Heritage Site and one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world.

Education

Turtle Trash Collectors Interactive Program Video.

Turtle Trash Collectors Interactive Program Video

Marine debris has major impacts on all kinds of marine animals, especially sea turtles. These iconic animals can confuse plastic bags and balloons for jellyfish, their favorite food.

Recycling and waste bins on a schoolyard.

One Cool Earth Zero Waste: How To Start School Waste Sorting Stations

This video, created by One Cool Earth with support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, walks through an easy way to help your school reduce waste: organizing waste stations!

Growing and Strengthening a Culture of Recycling to Reduce Marine Debris in Saipan's Waters

Growing and Strengthening a Culture of Recycling to Reduce Marine Debris in Saipan's Waters

With support from a NOAA Marine Debris Community-based Removal Grant, the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance, expanded local waste management infrastructure by installing mixed-waste and recycling bins at seven locations on th

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For citation purposes, unless otherwise noted, this article was authored by the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

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