Tag: Marine Debris

A freediver from the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project works to carefully remove a ghost net from the reef at Kamokuokamohoali‘i (Maro Reef) in Hawaii. (Image credit: Andrew Sullivan-Hawkins/Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (Under permit # PMNM-2024-003))

Large-scale Marine Debris: 4 Ways to Clean up the Big Stuff

10/12/2026 - By fisheries.noaa.gov, fisheries.noaa.gov. Marine debris is a challenging problem. Across the country, NOAA and partners remove everything from lost fishing gear tangled on the seafloor to sunken vessels, abandoned tire reefs, and other trash that have become hazards to navigation and marine ecosystems in the ocean and Great Lakes. Beginning in… SEE MORE

Tourism Study Infographics - FINAL VERSION JPG

The Economic Impacts of Marine Debris on Tourism-Dependent Communities

9/30/2023 - By marinedebris.noaa.gov. The tourism and recreation sector is the largest employer in the ocean and Great Lakes economy. This sector relies heavily on healthy coastal and ocean resources as well as the aesthetic quality of the environment. Unfortunately, marine debris is a pervasive issue in many coastal areas of the… SEE MORE

Marine Debris

GodwinPaya, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Sand Dredging is ‘Sterilizing’ Ocean Floor, UN Warns

9/8/2023 - By reuters.com. GENEVA, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Around 6 billion tons of marine sand is being dug up each year in a growing practice that a U.N. agency said is unsustainable and can wipe out local marine life irreversibly. Sand is the most exploited natural resource in the world after… SEE MORE

Marine Debris

Derelict vessels and other debris in a Panama City marina following Hurricane Michael (Photo: NOAA).

Taking the Lead to Prevent Hurricane Debris

8/7/2023 - By blog.marinedebris.noaa.gov. As we approach the 2022 hurricane season, we are sharing NOAA Marine Debris Program resources to help you prepare for storms and prevent storm-generated debris from accumulating in waterways and on shorelines. Hurricanes and typhoons are among nature's most powerful and destructive events, and when these natural disasters… SEE MORE

Plastic bottles, foam cups, food wrappers, and other debris on a beach can deter tourists (Photo: Heal the Bay).

What is Marine Debris Program?

8/6/2023 - By marinedebris.noaa.gov. Marine debris can be dangerous for wildlife, damage sensitive habitats, and create safety and navigation hazards. But marine debris can also hurt the economy. Marine debris can keep tourists away from beaches, compete with active fishing gear, and reduce commercial catches. How does marine debris impact the economies… SEE MORE

Zac, CC0, 512px-Beach_in_Fiji via Wikimedia Commons

When beaches are trashed, who pays the price?

3/1/2023 - By noaa.gov If you arrived at your dream beach only to find it littered with plastic and other rubbish, would you stay and play — or be on your way? A recent NOAA-funded study found that when the amount of marine debris normally on beaches is doubled, coastal economies could… SEE MORE

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U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bipartisan Bill to Clean Up Marine Debris

10/8/2020 - Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation led by House Oceans Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Don Young (R-AK) along with Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to strengthen the federal response to marine debris. Save Our Seas 2.0 –… SEE MORE