NOAA Marine Debris Program e-Newsletter | December 2018
NOAA's National Ocean Service sent this bulletin at 12/06/2018 11:00 AM EST
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Celebrating 10 Years of Fishing for Energy
Collection bins like this one make sure that tons of nets stay out of the ocean (Photo Credit: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation). We are excited to celebrate 10 years of Fishing for Energy, a partnership of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Covanta, and Schnitzer Steel Industries. Since 2008, this project has diverted nearly 4 million pounds of fishing gear from the environment by providing no-cost disposal to the fishing community. Taking on Tons in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
The team celebrates a job well done (Photo: NOAA). How do you pull an entire space shuttle’s weight in marine debris out of one of the most remote parts of the ocean? It takes lots of teamwork! In October, a mission to remove more than 80 tons of fishing nets and other debris from the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands ended. The three part mission involved two ships, five NOAA offices, and many, many partners. FY19 Research Grant Closing Soon
Microplastics on a beach (Photo: NOAA).
Hurricane Supplemental Grant Awards
Vessels grounded on mangroves in Boot Key Harbor, FL following Hurricane Irma (Photo: NOAA). The NOAA Marine Debris Program announced the 7 recipients of our 2017 Hurricane Supplemental Grant Awards. These grant awards will aid coastal recovery efforts by supporting marine debris assessment, removal, and disposal activities in states and territories impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. Marine Debris & Coral Reefs
A derelict vessel grounded on coral near the Content Keys within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). Though coral reefs are one of Earth’s most productive ecosystems, a scour, scrape, or scratch from lost fishing nets, abandoned vessels, tires, and other debris can damage these sensitive and important places. Preventing Aquaculture Debris
This clam cover netting was found on valuable habitat in Cedar Key, FL (Photo: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services). As aquaculture increases in popularity across the United States, our partners in Florida are working on new techniques to prevent the creation of debris. At a recent workshop hosted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the NOAA Marine Debris Program, 40+ aquaculture farmers and business owners came together to learn new management techniques and storm preparation strategies to stop marine debris before it starts. Hurricane Debris in Florida's Reefs
Vessels like this one can impact and damage the structure of a reef (Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). Marine debris is an everyday issue, but hurricanes can make the problem so much worse. Our partners at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are working to protect coral reefs by removing debris already in the path of hurricanes, as well as lobster traps and vessels that were lost during Hurricane Irma. |
NOAA Marine Debris Program | https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/ | 2018 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Contact us at marinedebris.web@noaa.gov |
