Marine Debris Foundation

Trash scattered on sand and among shrubs at the back barrier of a beach.

Marine debris is one of the most widespread pollution problems facing our waterways, Great Lakes, and ocean. Huge amounts of plastics, metals, rubber, paper, textiles, derelict fishing gear, derelict vessels, and other lost or discarded items enter the marine environment every day. In order to help solve this problem, the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-224) established the Marine Debris Foundation on December 18, 2020 as a charitable nonprofit organization to augment and support efforts of NOAA and other entities to address marine debris. The purposes of the Foundation include conducting activities that will augment NOAA’s efforts to address marine debris and performing other functions related to marine debris.

For more information, please visit the Marine Debris Foundation website.