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JUNE/JUNIO 2023
Please subscribe to this Newsletter on this link
Take a look at the March/Marzo issue
We also invite you to subscribe to the NOAA Marine Debris Program Blog and Newsletter
 The NOAA Marine Debris Program envisions the global ocean and its coasts free from the impacts of marine debris. (Credit: NOAA)
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In this issue / En esta edición:
Oh My, Octopi: A mangrove marine debris mystery solved
¿Conoces la Ley que prohíbe la venta y uso de plásticos de un solo uso en Puerto Rico?
Una despedida alegre para una estructura en el municipio de Manatí, Puerto Rico
Signs of Change: An outreach initiative in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Un paso adelante en la preparación de las comunidades ante emergencias por desechos (Available in English)
Personal de respuesta capacitado en emergencias por desechos marinos en Puerto Rico (Available in English)
NOAA Resources for Hurricane Preparedness and Response to Marine Debris Incidents
New Resource: Puerto Rico Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide
New Resource: U.S. EPA Trash Free Waters Program presents a report on tire wear particles in waterways
Coming soon / Próximamente
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Oh My, Octopi: A Mangrove Marine Debris Mystery Solved
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Authors:
Jordan Silva
Kristin Grimes
Allie Durdall
Zola Roper
Kristina Edwards
Kerrin Toner
Lila Uzzell
 Plastic bottle haul found during the St. Croix offshore cay cleanup (Credit: University of the Virgin Islands).
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With marine debris continuing to inundate shorelines of the U.S. Virgin Islands, recent efforts have focused on removal of debris from critical mangrove habitats. Over the past year, personnel from the University of the Virgin Islands and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, with help from several community partners, have successfully led three Great Mangrove Cleanups across the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, as well as several cleanups of offshore cays. These cleanup events removed 7,854 pounds of debris from all three islands and their offshore cays. There were 2,285 pounds of debris removed in the St. Thomas cleanup this year alone.
With so much trash being removed, you are bound to find one or two out of the ordinary debris items! But what happens when you find the same weird item over and over and over again? Well, that’s what happened when our team kept finding the same mysterious black container at many of our cleanup sites. Upon further investigation, and lots of internet scouring from our team, we determined these mystery containers were octopus traps, otherwise known as “pots”! And it turns out that we aren’t the only island in the Caribbean finding them washed up on our shores: they have also been found in the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman, and Grand Turk. Originally made of heavy terracotta clay, the design shifted to a less expensive plastic pot in recent years. These traps are used by several different countries and can be traced to a specific country’s fishing vessels depending on the shape and markings of the trap.
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For example, “flat topped” pots are from Portugal while “round-topped” pots are determined to be from northwest African countries. Our team has found both round and flat-topped octopus traps during our cleanups. Jordan Silva, a master’s student at the University of the Virgin Islands who is measuring accumulation rates of marine debris in mangroves for his thesis research, has also reported octopus pots at several of his study sites along Bovoni Caye in St. Thomas. The observation of these octopus pots washing onto shore halfway around the world shows the global impacts of fishing industries and just how far marine debris can travel! |
 Key members of the Great Mangrove Cleanup team having fun and taking names (aka removing trash and collecting data) (Credit: University of the Virgin Islands).
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¿Conoces la Ley que prohíbe la venta y uso de plásticos de un solo uso en Puerto Rico?
 Los materiales compostables son un ejemplo de materiales que pueden usarse en sustitución a los plásticos de un solo uso. (Crédito: NOAA)
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El 29 de junio de 2022 se firmó la Ley 51 para prohibir el expendio y utilización de plásticos de un solo uso en todo establecimiento comercial, de venta y distribución autorizado a realizar negocios conforme a las leyes del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico. Los plásticos de un solo uso se definen como artefactos de material plástico vendido y utilizado voluntariamente, tales como los cubiertos, platos y sorbetos de plástico, así como los vasos, tazas y contenedores de alimentos hechos con poliestireno expandido para su consumo inmediato o para llevar algodón tipo de alimento sin procesar o procesado.
La Ley 51 recae sobre todo local, restaurante, tienda o lugar análogo y toda persona natural o jurídica, que realice cualquier tipo de operación comercial o actos de comercio de venta o entrega de plásticos de un solo uso, para uso inmediato, al por mayor, por menor a al detal dentro de los límites territoriales del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico.
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La Ley comenzó a regir inmediatamente luego de su aprobación, con un periodo de transición de dos años. A partir del 29 de junio de 2024 estará expresamente prohibido en Puerto Rico vender, usar o distribuir plásticos de un solo uso. En los pasados meses, un grupo de colaboradores de distintos sectores se han estado reuniendo para definir estratégias para la implementación de esta ley. El grupo que está compuesto por organizaciones sin fines de lucro y el sector gubernamental, ha identificado la necesidad de educar al comerciante y consumidores, así como a los distribuidores en las alternativas de productos existentes y en la infraestructura necesaria.
El grupo se reúne mensualmente y próximamente comenzarán a hacer campañas públicas educando sobre alternativas y beneficios de tener un Puerto Rico libre de plásticos de un solo uso. Para información escriba a yaritza.rivera@noaa.gov
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Una despedida alegre para una estructura en el municipio de Manatí, Puerto Rico
 Estructura Removida en Poza las Mujeres, Manatí (Crédito: NOAA)
Por Nilda Jiménez, Division de Ecologia Marina, Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales
 Trabajo en Progreso (Crédito: Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales)
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 Vista aérea del trabajo completado (Crédito: Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales).
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El Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de Puerto Rico en coordinación con el Municipio de Manatí y con fondos suplementales de huracán del Programa de Marine Debris, pudo completar la remoción de una estructura construida en los años 60 en Playa Poza Las Mujeres en Manatí. La estructura que estaba ubicada en la zona marítimo terrestre fue identificada por el municipio como estorbo público luego de sufrir impactos mayores por el huracán María en el 2017. Con su remoción se comienza el proceso de la recuperación de un hábitat sensitivo para la anidación de la tortuga marina tinglar (Dermochelys coriacea) y aves marinas. Con estos fondos se han logrado remover embarcaciones abandonadas, muelles y escombros que resultaron del impacto directo de los Huracanes Irma y María en el 2017. Este es un trabajo en progreso hasta septiembre de 2023, así que compartiremos un resumen de los resultados en próximas ediciones. |
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 Trabajo en progreso (Crédito: NOAA).
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Signs of Change: An Outreach Initiative in the U.S. Virgin Islands
By: Zola Roper, USVI Marine Debris Coordinator, Coastal Zone Management, Department of Planning and Natural Resources
 Zola Roper placing a sign at a heavily trafficked marina on St. Thomas, USVI (Credit: Department of Planning and Natural Resources).
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The University of the Virgin Islands and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources-Division of Coastal Zone Management are both dedicated to reducing negative impacts of marine debris on the ocean and coastal resources of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), particularly through education. Together, they developed the “Signs of Change” initiative to improve and increase the USVI’s public attention and awareness to marine debris through the use of positive and inclusive messaging. With support from both the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the project team successfully created and installed signs at several heavily trafficked coastal areas, beaches, and marinas territory-wide. Each sign was thoughtfully crafted to display positive behavioral change messaging aimed to educate both the local community and tourists on the impacts of marine debris, and in consequence, prevent it. Imagine seeing a captivating sign at your favorite beach that says, “Remember: Throw your garbage in a trash bin! Your favorite beach and community appreciate you for it.” Wouldn't it make you pause and think about your actions? These “Signs of Change” serve as a reminder to individuals to continue to be or become responsible stewards of our environment to help strengthen the USVI’s community for future generations. |
 Signage mounted on a fence at a popular beach on St. Croix, USVI (Credit: Department of Planning and Natural Resources).
 Signage mounted on a commonly used recreation area adjacent to a beach on St. Croix, USVI (Credit: Department of Planning and Natural Resources).
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 Signage mounted on a fence at the major cruise ship pier on St. Croix, USVI (Credit: Department of Planning and Natural Resources).
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Un paso adelante en la preparación de las comunidades ante emergencias por desechos
Revisado por Ana Trujillo y Sandra Schleier de Scuba Dogs Society
(English below)
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El 1 de mayo, Scuba Dogs Society (SDS) organizó un taller de respuesta comunitaria donde cinco comunidades costeras se beneficiaron de las discusiones relacionadas con el Plan de Acción y Respuesta Comunitaria de Desechos Marinos (Plan) que se ha desarrollado para la comunidad de Parcelas Suárez en el Municipio de Loíza. La meta del Plan es prevenir futuros desechos marinos en las comunidades costeras que puedan resultar en peligros para la salud y el medio ambiente, y manejar estos desechos de manera coordinada con el municipio.
SDS creó una guía basada en el Plan que los participantes pudieron usar como punto de partida para crear sus propios planes comunitarios basados en sus experiencias y conocimiento. Como resultado, las comunidades participantes identificaron sus desafíos particulares, así como los recursos disponibles, áreas de almacenamiento temporal de desechos y contactos clave para facilitar la comunicación para una respuesta eficiente durante los huracanes. Los próximos pasos de esta iniciativa, incluyen oficializar el Plan de Parcelas Suárez y SDS estará publicando las reflexiones del taller. La guía se compartirá con otras comunidades costeras y municipios para ayudarlos a preparar sus propios planes comunitarios.
Este taller fue apoyado por The Nature Conservancy y por el Programa de Desechos Marinos de NOAA a través de los fondos de remoción de 2021 para SDS. Para información adicional en el Plan o la guía puede contactar a atrujilli@scubadogssociety.org o sschleier@scubadogssociety.org
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 Miembros de la comunidad participando del taller de respuesta provisto por Scuba Dogs Society / Community members participating from the response workshop provided by Scuba Dogs Society (Crédito: NOAA)
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One Step Ahead on Community Preparedness for Debris Emergencies
On May 1, Scuba Dogs Society (SDS) hosted a community response workshop where five coastal communities benefit from the discussions related to the Marine Debris Community Action and Response Plan (Plan) that has been developed for the Parcelas Suárez community in the Municipality of Loíza. The goal of the Plan is to prevent future marine debris in coastal communities that can result in health and environmental hazards, and to manage this debris in a coordinated way with the municipality.
SDS created a guide based on the Plan that the participants were able to use as a starting point to create their own community plans based on their unique experiences and knowledge. As a result, the participating communities identified their particular challenges as well as available resources, staging areas, and key contacts to facilitate communication for an efficient response during hurricanes. For the next steps on this initiative, the Parcelas Suarez Plan will be officialized in the upcoming months and SDS will be publishing reflections from the workshop. The guide will be further shared with other coastal communities and municipalities to help them prepare their own community plans.
This workshop was supported by The Nature Conservancy and by the NOAA Marine Debris Program through a 2021 removal grant for SDS.
For more information please contact atrujilli@scubadogssociety.org or sschleier@scubadogssociety.org
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 Puerto Rico Emergency Response Guide tabletop exercise (Credit: NOAA).
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 La Guía de Respuesta a Emergencias por Desechos Marinos de Puerto Rico está disponible en español e inglés
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El 2 de mayo, el Programa de Desechos Marinos (MDP) de la NOAA facilitó la capacitación de respondedores locales en coordinación con la Guardia Costera de los EE. UU. y con el apoyo de la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de los EE. UU. (EPA) y The Nature Conservancy. El taller de un día proporcionó una descripción general del proceso de respuesta federal y de Puerto Rico, y de los recursos para mejorar la colaboración y la respuesta a eventos de desechos marinos a gran escala.
Después de la bienvenida por la directora de MDP, Nancy Wallace y la directora de la Oficina del Caribe de la EPA, Carmen Guerrero, la Guardia Costera y el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de los Estados Unidos presentaron aspectos clave necesarios cuando se establece el Puesto de Comando de Incidentes, según se describe en el Sistema Nacional de Manejo de Incidentes. A esto le siguió una presentación y un panel sobre las Funciones de Apoyo de Emergencia 3 y 10, que incluyeron las lecciones aprendidas de los huracanes María (2017) y Fiona (2022). El taller también incluyó presentaciones sobre recursos y herramientas de la EPA, de la NOAA (Servicio Nacional Océanico y Servicio Nacional de Meteorología), The Nature Conservancy y varias divisiones dentro del Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales. Como cierre, Jessica Conway de MDP proporcionó un ejercicio de simulación en el que los participantes reaccionaron ante impactos hipotéticos de huracanes y fueron capacitados en el uso de la Guía de Respuesta a Emergencias de Puerto Rico que fue publicada recientemente (vea abajo detalles sobre lesta publicación).
Échale un vistazo al artículo publicado por NOAA Office of Response & Restoration Weekly Report sobre los talleres del 1 y 2 de mayo.
Responders Trained in Marine Debris Emergency Issues in Puerto Rico
On May 2, the NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) in coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard, and with the support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The Nature Conservancy, facilitated the training of local first responders. The one-day workshop provided an overview on the federal and Puerto Rico response process and on resources to improve response to large-scale marine debris events and collaboration.
After welcome remarks from MDP Director Nancy Wallace and EPA Caribbean Office Director Carmen Guerrero, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service presented key aspects of the Incident Command Post. This was followed by a presentation and a panel on the Emergency Support Functions 3 and 10, which included lessons learned from Hurricanes María (2017) and Fiona (2022). The workshop also included presentations on resources from EPA, two NOAA services (National Ocean Service and National Weather Service), The Nature Conservancy, and different divisions within the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. As a closure, Jessica Conway from MDP provided a tabletop exercise where participants reacted to hypothetical hurricane impacts and were trained in the use of the recently published Puerto Rico Emergency Response Guide (see below for details on this publication).
Take a look at the NOAA Office of Response & Restoration Weekly Report article published on the May 1 and 2 workshops.
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 NOAA and the U.S. Coast Guard shared their experiences while working on hurricane response under the Emergency Support Functions 3 and 10 (Credit: NOAA).
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With the hurricane season on top of us, we want to share different resources that can help you prepare to prevent marine debris. We invite you to read the 2020 blog The Challenges of Hurricanes and Marine Debris on Islands so you can learn more about some of the unique challenges that we, people from islands, struggle with during major debris emergencies.
NOAA MDP has developed Emergency Response Guides to provide specific direction for coordinating local, state, and federal response to acute marine debris events.The purpose of the guides is to improve preparedness for and communication during response operations and the recovery following a natural disaster or incident that produces large amounts of debris. There are guides available for both the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The NOAA Marine Debris Program has also developed fact sheets that will help you make decisions on how to appropriately prepare for severe storms and provide information on the alternatives for disposing of the debris. The Storm Preparedness & Marine Debris fact sheet (available in English and Spanish) provides advice to homeowners, marinas and boat owners, and to the fisheries sector. The Marine Debris Disposal Options fact sheet presents the different alternatives and provides recommendations on when an alternative might be best according to the available resources.
Finally, we invite you to visit the amazing projects that have addressed or are addressing hurricane-related debris in the Caribbean:
Keep in mind other NOAA resources from the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service, and please stay safe!
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Puerto Rico Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide
On March 29, the NOAA Marine Debris Program published in English and Spanish the Puerto Rico Emergency Response Guide Comprehensive Document and the accompanying Field Guide. The document outlines existing response structures at the territorial, municipal, and federal levels to facilitate a coordinated and timely response to marine debris in Puerto Rico. It highlights organization roles and responsibilities and includes an overview of permitting and compliance requirements that must be met before marine debris removal work begins. The Spanish translation was a collaboration with Puerto Rico Sea Grant.
U.S. EPA Trash Free Waters Program presents a report on tire wear particles in waterways
In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the publication of “Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Opportunities to Address Tire Wear Particles in Waterways.” Tire wear particles have been described by EPA as a significant category of microplastics found in waterways. The report presents challenges and opportunities to address this type of microplastic. This effort resulted from roundtable discussions which included 30 different organizations. Please follow the links to access the report.
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Job Opportunity
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Marine Debris Foundation Hiring for Executive Director: The Executive Director is responsible for establishing and managing the basic operations and administration of the Foundation, developing a strategic vision and fundraising plan, and working in collaboration with the Board of Directors to shape the organization. The Foundation will be an important partner to NOAA, and we look forward to working with the future Executive Director to advance the missions of the Foundation and the NOAA Marine Debris Program.
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Julio1: La Perla, San Juan, PR - hora: TBD. Contacto: ftorres@conservationopportunity.org
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Agosto 3: Parque La Esperanza, Cataño PR - 7AM. Contacto: Red de Investigación de Microplásticos del Caribe y Voluntarias de Punta Salinas. Enviar texto a (787)-383-0466 parra información
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Agosto 11: Nuevo Milenio Guanajibo, Mayagüez PR - 1PM. Contacto: yaritza.rivera@noaa.gov
Funding Opportunities/ Oportunidades de Fondos
On the Loop
The public comment deadline for EPA’s Draft Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution has been extended to July 31, 2023. Please take time to submit any comments you may have to the Federal Register docket for EPA’s consideration.
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 Quebradillas, Puerto Rico (Credit: NOAA)
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