Finding marine debris solutions is an everyday task for the NOAA Marine Debris Program. Despite the unique challenges of 2020, the program remained committed to our mission through close coordination and flexibility, to continue addressing and raising awareness about the global debris issue. A snapshot of some of our accomplishments across the country include removing thousands of derelict crab traps from Lake Pontchartrain Basin in Louisiana, and working with partners to engage with students in an underserved San Diego, California community to provide experiential learning opportunities, and exploring if freshwater mussels in a Wisconsin estuary could be used as a potential monitoring tool for microplastics in the Great Lakes.

Here’s a look at a few highlights and some major accomplishments from our program and our partners this past fiscal year, as well as highlights from our fiscal year 2016-2020 Strategic Plan.