NOAA Marine Debris Program e-Newsletter | April 2020

April 2020

Debris collected from a loggerhead turtle nesting beach in Florida 
(Photo: Jennifer L. McGee, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission).

In This Issue

Hurricane Removal Awards

Fishing for Energy Funding Opportunity

Digital Debris Resources

New Florida Reduction Plan

Keeping Current in Florida and the Caribbean

Quick Links

Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
MDMAP Toolbox
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse

Marine Debris Tracker Mobile Application

Marine Debris Tracker App

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

2020 Calendar Available

2020 Marine Debris Calendar

Download the 2020 Marine Debris Calendar on our website now! (Cover art by contest winner Jennie C., Grade 8, Massachusetts).

The 2020 Marine Debris Calendar is available for download and features artwork from thirteen students in grades K-8 grade, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest.

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Website & Blog

Announcing the 2019 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund Awards

Derelict vessels and other debris in a Panama City marina following Hurricane Michael

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

We are pleased to announce with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation the six recipients of the 2019 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund. These grant awards will aid coastal recovery efforts by supporting marine debris assessment, removal, and disposal activities in states and territories impacted by Hurricanes Florence and Michael, and Typhoon Yutu.

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Fishing for Energy Partnership Announces Bin Program 2020 Request for Proposals

Fishing for Energy

Fishing for Energy gives fishers a place to dispose of old, derelict, or unusable fishing gear (Photo: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation).

The NOAA Marine Debris Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Covanta, and Schnitzer Steel announced the Bin Program 2020 Request for Proposals for the Fishing for Energy Partnership is now open! This opportunity provides funding to facilitate the proper disposal of retired and derelict commercial fishing gear for recycling and for energy conversion at select ports across the United States. The deadline for full proposals is Thursday, April 30, 2020 and an applicant webinar will be held Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 3:00 PM ET.

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Digital Debris Educational Resources

Trash Talk

Explore marine debris topics, such as garbage patches, right from home!

Parents, students, and teachers: did you know we have free activities, videos, and more, all available online? Learn about marine debris and have some fun, wherever you might be, with ‘digital debris’ educational resources for all ages!

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New Florida Marine Debris Reduction Plan

Florida Marine Debris Reduction Plan

Check out the new Florida Marine Debris Reduction Plan!

We are pleased to share the 2020 Florida Marine Debris Reduction Plan. This document is the result of a collaborative effort between the NOAA Marine Debris Program and local, state, and federal governments; nonprofits; industry; and academic institutions, and represents a partner-led effort to guide marine debris actions in Florida for the next five years.

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Keeping Current in Florida and the Caribbean

Puerto Rico Derelict Fishing Gear

A derelict trap removed from Eastern Puerto Rico (Photo: Raimundo Espinoza).

They may be surrounded by clear blue waters and diverse coral reefs, but Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also impacted by marine debris from tourism, fishing, and hurricanes. Catch up with our partners in Florida and the Caribbean, and learn how they are taking steps to reduce the impacts of marine debris!

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