The NOAA Marine Debris Program offers several nationwide, competitive funding opportunities for marine debris projects. These include: marine debris removal grants; prevention through education and outreach grants; and research grants. Learn more about these opportunities.
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest region spans Oregon and Washington, with a combined tidal shoreline of 4,436 miles. Commercial and recreational fishing along the outer coast, in rivers, and inland waters results in lost fishing gear, which often requires removal by professionals fishers and divers. Most marine debris washing up along the sparsely populated coast of the Pacific Northwest comes from all across the Pacific Rim, a testimony to the global nature of the marine debris problem. It is volunteer effort that removes most of this marine debris. Marine debris removal is difficult in remote and largely inaccessible coastal areas in the region, especially in the fall and winter when storms bring more debris on the beaches, yet make removal much more challenging.
Current Projects

Reports and Materials
Regional Topics
- The Northwest Straits Foundation, with support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, created five short videos to educate crabbers. The videos go over topics like setting your crab pots so they don't get lost and adding weight to your pots. Check them out!
- The Northwest Straits Initiative’s 10 year effort to remove derelict fishing nets from the Puget Sound will soon be complete. Read more about the project.
- To learn more about Japan tsunami marine debris in this region, visit our webpage. You can also find information on Oregon Parks and Recreation Department's website and Washington Department of Ecology's website.
Image Gallery

Blog
Video
Regional Coordinator
Andrew Mason
Andrew.Mason@noaa.gov
Funded Partners in the Region
Previously Funded Partners
Additional Resources
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Oregon Marine Debris Action Plan
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Newsletter Archive
Washington Marine Debris Action Plan - Spring 2020
Washington Marine Debris Action Plan - Fall 2019
Washington Marine Debris Action Plan - Spring 2019
Oregon Marine Debris Action Plan Update #6
Oregon Marine Debris Action Plan Update #5
Oregon Marine Debris Action Plan Update #4
Oregon Marine Debris Action Plan Update #3