For over a decade citizens, scientists and our government have taken action about marine debris. Prevention through public education and reducing single-use plastics, community cleanups, removal projects to collect debris from beaches and waterways, research to understand the issue better, have been the initiatives used.
Marine debris is defined by NOAA, as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes. Anything human-made and solid can become marine debris once lost or littered in these aquatic environments. Our trash has been found in every corner of our ocean, from the most remote shorelines, to ice in the Arctic, and even the deepest parts of the sea floor.
The impact of this debris includes: impacts human health and safety, endangers wildlife and aquatic habitats, costs local and national economies millions in cleanup costs, wasted resources, and lost revenues.
In an October news release, NOAA and the Department of Commerce announced an award of more than $3.3 million in funding to support the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project Nationwide Survey. “It will support a one-year, standalone, nationwide marine debris assessment, done in partnership with 1stMission LLC, that aims to broaden the understanding of marine debris, including the types and amounts of debris found on U.S. shorelines.”
“Marine debris poses significant threats to water quality, marine habitats and the economic prosperity of coastal communities nationwide,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, this investment of over $3 million will help us understand how marine debris affects our shorelines, expand protections for marine environments and the industries that depend on them, and support a healthier and more prosperous future for coastal communities.”
“Marine debris is a widespread pollution issue affecting the world’s ocean, waterways and coastal areas,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “With the extraordinary support from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this survey’s findings will enhance NOAA’s ability to safeguard our nation’s coastal and marine ecosystems, while delivering essential data to researchers, educators, policymakers and local communities.”
The NOAA press release explained that monitoring marine debris in the environment helps researchers understand the amounts, sources and types of debris, as well as where it ends up and if it is changing over time. Monitoring data plays an essential role in identifying key targets for prevention and mitigation efforts, while also providing a measurable framework to assess progress in achieving those goals.
Photo courtesy of NOAA