Marine debris strewn along the shore of Pearl and Hermes Atoll

Marine Debris in the Pacific Islands

This region includes Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The Pacific Ocean bonds and connects many islands and people. These communities share in the art and science of traditional navigation, which has fostered an intimate connection to the ocean over many generations. Today, these island communities also share in the responsibility of ocean stewardship, including the effort against marine debris.

The Pacific Islands Region is the Marine Debris Program’s largest geographic region. Currents carry marine debris from afar to these remote archipelagos, making even its uninhabited islands home to some of the most polluted beaches in the world. The Marine Debris Program partners with local agencies, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and local communities, to prevent and reduce marine debris through education, research, and removal efforts, and severe storms. 

Regional Coordinator

marine.debris.pacific@noaa.gov
During the Typhoon Soudelor in 2015, the Lady Carolina broke free from its mooring and has since been a fixture in the Saipan Lagoon (Photo: Pacific Coastal Research & Planning).

Regional Topics

The NOAA Marine Debris Program offers several nationwide, competitive funding opportunities for marine debris projects. Check out open competitions and access resources to help applicants prepare a strong proposal.

Abandoned and Derelict Vessels

Abandoned and derelict vessel information for states and territories in the Pacific Islands region:

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

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