NOAA Marine Debris Program e-Newsletter | September 2018

September 2018

Plastic bottles litter the banks of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC (Photo: NOAA)

In This Issue

Suit Up and Join in the ICC!

23 New Marine Debris Projects

Removal Grant Opportunity Open

Washington Marine Debris Action Plan

Can You Cook a Plastic-free Meal?

Back to School Special

2019 Calendar Now Available

Understanding Microplastics In Seafood

Is Marine Debris Impacting Your Wallet?

Quick Links

Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
MDMAP Toolbox
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse

Marine Debris Tracker Mobile Application

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Make a difference by using the Marine Debris Tracker app to record debris items you find.

Upcoming Cleanups

Looking to participate in the International Coastal Cleanup? Check out the cleanup map on the Ocean Conservancy's website for an event near you!

September 8
Pacifica Beach Coalition
Sharp Park Beach
Pacifica, CA

September 8
Fort Lauderdale Beach Sweep
The Hub
Fort Lauderdale, FL

September 8
Ocean Hour
Bay Bluffs Park
Pensacola, FL

September 8
Ocean Hour
Chimney Park Cleanup
Pensacola, FL

September 8
808 Cleanups
One'ula Beach Park
Ewa Beach, O'ahu, HI

September 8
Alliance for the Great Lakes
Bryant Park Beach
Traverse City, MI

September 8
Blue Ocean Society
Jenness State Beach
Rye, NH

September 8
Teens Interested in & Dedicated to Environmental Sciences
Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn, New York, NY

September 8
Plastic Lakes Project
Turning Point Park
Rochester, NY

September 8
Multnomah Channel Cleanups
Sauvie Island
Portland, OR

September 8
Pennsylvania DCNR
Barracks Beach
Erie, PA

September 8
Washington State University Extension
Ebey’s Landing Natn. Reserve
Ebeys Landing, WA

September 9
Save Our Shores
Pleasure Point Beach
Opal Cliffs, CA

September 9
Riverkeeper
Kaal Rock Park
Poughkeepsie, NY

September 9
We Love Clean Rivers
Clackamas River
Boring, OR

September 11
808 Cleanups
Ka'iwi Scenic Shoreline
Honolulu, O'ahu, HI

September 12
Surfrider Kauai
Anahola Beach Park
Anahola, Kauai, HI

September 12
Shedd Aquarium
12th Street Beach
Chicago, IL

September 20
Go Lloyd
Portland, OR

September 21
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
First Sand Beach
L'Anse, MI

September 22
I Love a Clean San Diego
Elfin Forest Rec Center
Escondido, CA

September 22
I Love a Clean San Diego
Tecolote Canyon Natural Park
San Diego, CA

September 22
Neponset River Watershed Association
Hyde Park
Boston, MA

September 22
Clean Ocean Access
Pheasant Drive Beach
Portsmouth, NH

September 22
Thousand Islands Land Trust
Potters Beach Preserve
Clayton, NY

September 22
Sandy River Watershed Council
Lewis & Clark State Park
Troutdale, OR

September 22
Fairfax County
Riverbend Park
Great Falls, VA

September 22
Washington State University Extension
Joseph Whidbey State Park
Oak Harbor, WA

September 23
Sharkastics
Kukona Place
Wailuku, Maui, HI

September 23
League of Women Voters of Chicago
71st Street Beach
Chicago, IL

September 23
Hawken School
Lakefront Reservation
Cleveland, OH

September 23
Alliance for the Great Lakes
Bay View Park Beach
St. Francis, WI

September 25
Kenosha Public Museums
Eichelman Park Beach
Kenosha, WI

September 26
Surfrider Kauai
Kahili Beach
Kalihiwai, Kauai, HI


September 29
Museum of Discovery and Science
Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale, FL

September 29
Hui O Ho’ohonua
Kapapapuhi Point Park
Ewa Beach, O'ahu, HI

September 29
Duxbury Litter Patrol
Tarkiln Community Center
Duxbury, MA

September 29
SOLVE
Sites Across Oregon

September 30
Surfrider San Francisco
Baker Beach
San Francisco, CA

Can't make it to a listed cleanup? Organize your own and use the Marine Debris Tracker!

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Website & Blog

Suit Up and Join in the ICC!

Kingman Island ICC
Sign up for an event near you and #suituptocleanup! (Photo: NOAA)


It’s almost that time of year—time for the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC)! This annual event, put on by the Ocean Conservancy and supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program, works to bring people together from across the globe to suit up and clean up marine debris in their local communities.

Learn More


23 New Marine Debris Projects

Derelict crab pots are removed from coastal waters. (Photo Credit: Elizabeth Zimmermann, Stockton University)
Derelict crab pots are removed from coastal waters (Photo: Elizabeth Zimmermann, Stockton University).


Following a highly competitive merit review process, the NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce the 23 recipients of our 2018 prevention and removal grant awards. These awards will support efforts to address the pervasive national and global problem of marine debris that can impact wildlife, navigation safety, human health, and the economy.

Learn More


FY19 Removal Grant Opportunity Open

The marine debris team removes a mass of derelict fishing nets (Photo: NOAA).
The marine debris team removes a mass of derelict fishing nets (Photo: NOAA).


The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce our FY19 “Marine Debris Removal” federal funding opportunity. Projects awarded through the removal grant competition will create long-term, quantifiable ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources, with priority consideration for efforts targeting derelict fishing gear and other medium- and large-scale debris. 

Learn More


Washington Marine Debris Action Plan

Washington Marine Debris Action Plan
Check out the Washington Marine Debris Action Plan (Photo: Heidi Walker).


We are pleased to share the Washington Marine Debris Action Plan. This document is the result of a productive and collaborative effort between the NOAA Marine Debris Program and regional partners, and will facilitate and track actions that prevent and reduce marine debris throughout Washington State, including the Puget Sound, the Northwest Straits, Washington’s Pacific Coast, the Columbia River estuary, and inland sources.

Learn More 


Can You Cook a Plastic-free Meal?

Produce bags keep your produce fresh and plastic-free (Photo: NOAA).
Produce bags keep your produce fresh and plastic-free (Photo: NOAA).


Can you cook a plastic-free meal? From our morning coffee, to produce, meats, and grains, much of our food comes packaged in plastic. This week, challenge yourself to cook a meal free from plastic waste by using these simple tips!

Learn More


Back to School Special

Students in California sort their classroom’s waste as part of a waste audit (Photo: Megan van Hamersveld).
Students in California sort their classroom’s waste as part of a waste audit (Photo: Megan van Hamersveld).


The days are getting shorter and cooler, and students and teachers have returned to school. The new school year can be a new beginning, so why not take this time to build some better habits in the classroom? If you want to reduce the amount of waste your class produces, a great way to start is to understand what you already throw away and recycle. Figure out how much waste your class creates through a trash audit!

Are your school days behind you? This activity is still for you! Measure your waste footprint at home or in the office, you may be surprised by what you find!

Learn More


2019 Calendar Now Available

Download the 2019 Marine Debris Calendar on our website now! (Cover art by art contest winner Emma M., Grade 6, Pennsylvania)
Download the 2019 Marine Debris Calendar on our website now! (Cover art by art contest winner Emma M., Grade 6, Pennsylvania).


The NOAA Marine Debris Program is excited to announce that our 2019 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest. 

Learn More


Understanding Microplastics In Seafood

A sample of sea scallops collected as part of regular dredge surveys (Photo: NEFSC/NOAA).
A sample of sea scallops collected as part of regular dredge surveys (Photo: NEFSC/NOAA).


Are there microplastics in the fish, scallops, and other species we eat? What are the impacts to these animals from plastic marine debris? In order to improve our understanding of microplastics in seafood, the NOAA Marine Debris Program supports original and hypothesis-driven research projects which focus on the potential risk to wildlife from debris exposure and ingestion.

Learn More


Is Marine Debris Impacting Your Wallet?

Marine debris litters a beach in Southern California (Photo: Heal the Bay).
Marine debris litters a beach in Southern California (Photo: Heal the Bay).


Imagine you’ve planned a big day at the beach with your family and friends, loaded up the car with supplies, and traveled out to your favorite spot, only to find a beach littered with plastic beverage bottles, stray fishing line, chip bags, cigarette butts, and other debris. Would you stay and play, or be on your way? 

In order to find a beach that fits the bill, you may find yourself travelling farther and spending more money.

Learn More