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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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