Reducing Marine Debris Across the Gulf of America

This project was funded through the 2020 United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) Implementation Act (P.L. 116-113), which provided the NOAA Marine Debris Program funding to prevent and reduce marine debris in the North American region. Chapter 24 of the USMCA includes specific environmental goals that highlight the need to take action to prevent and reduce marine debris, including plastic litter and microplastics, in order to preserve human health and marine and coastal ecosystems, prevent the loss of biodiversity, and mitigate the costs and impacts of marine debris. This project was awarded competitively and meets the environment goals of the USMCA by promoting waste management infrastructure and removing derelict fishing gear in the Gulf of America, preventing this debris from impacting beaches and wildlife in the United States. 

The Parley Foundation worked with coastal communities in the Gulf of America to collect and recycle fishing gear, remove debris from marine protected areas, and promote education.

Type of Project: North America Marine Debris Prevention and Removal

Region: Gulf of America

Project Dates: September 2021 - August 2023

Who was involved?

With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Parley Foundation led an initiative to protect the Gulf of America from the impacts of marine debris. Parley worked with national and local governments in Mexico, as well as with local organizations and marine protected area sites.

What is the project and why is it important?

In the Gulf of America, plastic marine debris from fishing and inland communities in Mexico is a major source of coastal and ocean pollution. This debris not only impacts the environment, wildlife, and economy of Mexico, but the ocean and resources in the United States as well.

Through this project, Parley Foundation worked in Mexican states along the Gulf of America to collect and upcycle end-of-life fishing gear, clean up marine debris in remote areas, and engage with fishing communities and the general public to raise awareness of the negative impacts of discarded fishing gear and marine debris and how to prevent it. 

This project focused its work on natural protected areas with coral reefs and other sensitive habitats, including 11 sites listed as Wetlands of International Importance, one UNESCO World Heritage Site, and five sites designated as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.

What were the results? 

This project implemented a new fishing gear collection system in 16 fishing communities and provided a new solution for recycling nylon fishing nets to prevent them from becoming marine debris. These efforts resulted in over 60,000 pounds of fishing gear collected and removed from the environment, with 45,000 pounds of that gear sent for upcycling. 

To further address existing marine debris, the project led cleanups in 17 marine protected areas that removed an additional 94,000 pounds of debris from these coastal environments and promoted collaboration with local partners and volunteers. The project closely engaged fishing communities to build awareness of marine debris impacts, provide public information on reducing the use of plastic in households, and promote better waste management practices across Mexico. 

In total, 4,007 volunteers were engaged, and 154,682 pounds of debris was removed.

For more information about this project, visit the Marine Debris Program Clearinghouse.