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A mass of derelict nets removed from the reefs surrounding Midway Atoll (Kuaihelani, Pihemanu) in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Credit: NOAA).
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce our Fiscal Year 2022 NOAA Marine Debris Removal notice of funding opportunity. Funding for this opportunity is provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $56 million to fund projects that remove marine debris to benefit marine and Great Lakes habitats and communities. This competition focuses on two priorities: removing large marine debris and using proven interception technologies to capture marine debris throughout the coastal United States, Great Lakes, territories, and Freely Associated States.
The deadline has been extended and proposals are now due on Grants.gov on October 14, 2022, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Grant applicant guidance and resources are now available on the NOAA Marine Debris Program website.
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Plastic bags, fishing traps, buoys, and other debris on a New England shoreline (Credit: National Audubon Society Seabird Restoration Program).
Following a highly competitive review process, the NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce the 14 recipients of our 2022 Removal and Prevention Grant awards totaling nearly $3.7 million in federal funds, including funding provided through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act. Federal funding is matched by non-federal contributions, bringing the total investment in these marine debris projects to approximately $7.8 million.
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Download the 2023 Marine Debris Calendar on our website now! (Cover art by Betty L., Grade 8, Florida).
The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce that our 2023 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in kindergarten through eighth grade from nine states and two U.S. territories, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest.
Feeling inspired to submit art for our next calendar? This year’s NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest officially opens on October 17th!
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On behalf of the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee, NOAA’s Marine Debris Program and EPA’s Trash Free Waters Program are pleased to share a draft Report on Microfiber Pollution, which is now available for public comment. Required by law, this report will provide Congress with an overview of the microfiber pollution issue, while also outlining a path forward for federal agencies, in partnership with other stakeholders, to address this problem. We invite comments, feedback, and recommendations on the draft Report on Microfiber Pollution, including Section 7, which contains a plan that outlines opportunities to reduce microfiber pollution.
Comments will be accepted until October 17, 2022. To learn how to submit a comment through the Federal eRulemaking Portal, please view the Federal Register Notice.
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U.S. Forest Service staff removing debris to return to Yakutat for sorting and disposal (Credit: Kevin Forster, City and Borough of Yakutat).
When people think of Alaska, many images may come to mind: jagged mountains, majestic glaciers, rugged shorelines, rich and diverse wildlife and habitats, and vast wilderness. Its position in the North Pacific makes it home to some of the most productive and critical fisheries in the United States, and the world. This same position, combined with its vast scale, ocean current, wind patterns, and the growing maritime transport and fishing activity in near and distant waters, also means huge amounts of marine debris arrive on Alaskan shorelines every year. Fortunately, there is an active, innovative, and dedicated community of individuals and organizations working on the issue across the state of Alaska.
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Recycling bins for plastic bottles and aluminum cans are implemented by the NOAA Ocean Guardian School Program and TREE Club at Simon Sanchez High School (Credit: J. Anitok).
With its crystal clear waters and rich coral reefs, Guam is undoubtedly a hidden paradise in the Pacific ocean. It is home to five protected marine preserves teeming with aquatic animals and plants. Everything on the island is connected, from the mountain ridges to the lively reefs, meaning that even the tiniest actions can offset the entire ecosystem. The Ocean Guardian School project at Simon A. Sanchez High School worked together with five other schools across the island to minimize impacts on the ecosystem and reduce potential sources of marine debris.
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A cleanup crew sorts debris on St. Paul Island in 2019 (Credit: Aleut Community of St. Paul Island).
This month, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we want to share a past blog that highlights our partnerships with native communities and the important work being done to take on marine debris.
For some, marine debris may simply be an unsightly inconvenience, but for many people around the world it is a critical problem that can affect all aspects of life. This is particularly true for indigenous communities, whose deep understanding of and reliance on the natural environment and ocean, for subsistence, cultural connection, recreation, and economic opportunities, makes them especially aware of the damaging effects of marine debris. Community regional expertise on the impacts of marine debris and nuanced relationships with the environment shape many NOAA Marine Debris Program-supported projects around the country.
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