Marine debris on a remote beach in American Samoa (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Partner Updates

Net Patrol's huge success on Kaua'i required some airlifting (Photo Credit: Surfrider Kaua'i).

Partners Work Together for Successful Remote Cleanups on Kaua'

Written by: Surfrider Kaua'i
Surfrider Foundation Kaua'i Chapter, in collaboration with Hawai'i Wildlife Fund and Partner Jack Harter Helicopters, removed over 18,500 lbs of marine debris (34 super sacks), plus several large marine debris items. These cleanups took place every Wednesday from the beginning of May to the end of July 2024. All the debris was airlifted out of the remote area at the end of August. During these operations, teams cleaned a 2-mile stretch of rocky coastline on the east side of Kaua'i between Papa'a Bay and Moloa'a Bay. Over this period, we hosted 15 outings with 121 volunteers and calculated 380 volunteer hours!

The F/V Charito before removal (Photo Credit: PCRP).

Pacific Coastal Research & Planning Completes Removal of Derelict Fishing Vessel Charito in Saipan

Written by: Pacific Coastal Research and Planning
Pacific Coastal Research & Planning (PCRP) has completed the removal of the derelict fishing vessel Charito from Tanapag Harbor. Since Typhoon Winnie in 1997, the 97-foot vessel obstructed a popular recreational area, posing environmental risks.

The project, from April 9 to August 22, 2024, removed 81.5 tons of metal, 14.5 tons of waste, and 480 cubic feet of insulation, and safely disposed of 110 gallons of oily waste.

This project was supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program through the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund. The effort involved local contractors and government partners. PCRP Executive Director Becky Skeele highlighted the project's importance for habitat protection and marine safety.

For more information on the removal of the Charito, visit their website or contact Becky Skeele.

“How Would You Feel?” and “Little Trash Shack” illustrate the impact of marine debris (wildlife entanglements and blight) (Photo Credit: Amanda JS Kaufmann, WordWorthyPhotos KAUAI, and featuring model Hi’ilei Berg).

Artfully Illustrating the Impact of Marine Debris

Written by: Amanda Kaufman
When I moved to Kaua‘i, I had no idea I would find solace in joining a group of fellow do-gooders who weekly patrol Kaua‘i shorelines for nets, ropes, and other marine debris. A plan formed for the 2024 Surfrider/Kaua‘i Society of Artists “Washed Up” marine debris art show: to shine a light on the threat of entanglement and the ugliness of marine debris. As a Hawaiian monk seal volunteer, I care a lot about this problem. With the help of model Hi’ilei Berg and her mother, Devi, I created two portraits that illustrate the impact of marine debris on our wildlife, environment, and humanity. As a professional artist, writer, and educator, I believe it is necessary to collaborate to move the needle on such issues. 

Email me here and read more about this work on my blog, Transmissions from Kaua'i (I welcome subscribers to keep me company and join the conversation!)

Divers are removing recreational fishing gear caught up in the reef at Keoneʻōʻio (Photo Credit: Pacific Whale Foundation).

Diving in at Keoneʻōʻio

Written by: Pacific Whale Foundation (PWF)
Keoneʻōʻio is estimated to have 8 tons of recreational fishing gear covering the rocky and coral bottom. Our team of divers has collected 1,472 pounds from this reef to date. With funding from the County of Maui Environmental Protection & Sustainability Division, we are planning to remove an additional 1,500 pounds by the end of June 2025!  

To repurpose materials and minimize waste, lead weights are given to community members who melt down and transform them into new dive weights for freedivers and scuba divers! We are actively engaging with the local fishing community to better understand fishing practices and explore innovative solutions to safeguard the coral reef ecosystem.

Learn more

Guam SandFest featured lots of different activities and ways to get involved (Photo Credit: Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans).

Guam SandFest 2024: Celebrating Guam's Coastal Beauty and Environmental Stewardship

Written by: Guam Bureau of Statistics and Plans
Guam SandFest 2024, a Sand Art Festival was held on September 21, 2024, at Ypao Beach Park in Tumon, Guam. The inaugural celebration was organized by the Bureau of Statistics and Plans, Guam Coastal Management Program in collaboration with the Office of the Governor, and Lt. Governor's Islandwide Beautification Task Force and funded by a grant from NOAA. The event aimed to raise public awareness about critical environmental issues such as beach litter, shoreline erosion, and the importance of green infrastructure. The event was held in conjunction with celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Guam International Coastal Cleanup where approximately 2,500 volunteers participated in an island-wide coastal cleanup collecting over 12,000 pounds of trash along 25 miles of Guam’s coastlines.

Following the cleanup, Guam SandFest 2024 featured a sand sculpting competition, where teams, schools, corporate groups, and community organizations competed to create stunning sand sculpture creations with coastal and marine themes. Attendees were also treated to onsite demonstrations by off-island professional sand sculptors, educational booths, and creative displays where attendees learned about environmental protection programs and participated in hands-on activities.

Guam SandFest 2024 served as a platform for government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community programs to share their environmental programs and initiatives, and promote collaboration and collective action for a more sustainable future.

For more information visit the SandFest Website or Bureau of Statistics and Plans website. You can also connect to our social media channels (@guamcoastalmanagement) or contact Steven Dierking, Outreach Coordinator for the Bureau of Statistics and Plans’ Guam Coastal Management Program.

Students work on an art piece (Photo Credit: Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation).

Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation has opportunities for you to get involved!

Written by: Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation

Dive into these two opportunities to help prevent marine debris with the Kōkua Hawai'i Foundation!

Plastic Free Hawai'i School Mural Contest
The Kōkua Hawai‘i Foundation is hosting the 2024-2025 Plastic-Free Hawai‘i School Mural Contest, inviting students from grades K-12 to create murals that promote awareness about plastic pollution and inspire sustainable practices. Schools can submit entries that reflect the theme of reducing plastic waste and its environmental impact. Winning murals will be displayed in various locations, fostering community engagement and dialogue around environmental issues. This initiative encourages creativity and collaboration among students while promoting a cleaner, healthier Hawai‘i. The contest not only highlights artistic talent but also reinforces the importance of environmental stewardship in local schools. Subscribe to our Kōkua Newsletter to stay informed about this year's theme and submission process. 

Plastic Free Hawai'i Water Refill Station
Request a water refill station for your event! Our rentals help reduce single-use plastics. Contact us for more details and to reserve your station today!

1,484 pounds of trash cleaned up (Photo Credit: Cassandra Walti).

Kauai's International Coastal Cleanup Day 

Written by: Surfrider Kaua'i
Surfrider Kaua'i hosted International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 21st. The Kaua'i community came together to clean up the beautiful coastline at Nukoli'i Beach Park. Fifty-nine volunteers removed, sorted, counted, and weighed 1,484 pounds of marine debris and trash. The top items included 606 bottle caps, 545 oyster spacers and 1540 pieces of plastic bigger than 2.5cm. All this important data will be shared with Ocean Conservancy and will be part of their annual report.

The PRRF Facility system (Photo Credit: CMDR).

From Nets to Infrastructure – Recycling Marine Debris in Hawai'i

Written by: HPU Center for Marine Debris Research
Since establishing the Plastic Recycling Research Facility (PRRF) this summer on Oʻahu, the Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR) has processed over 58.6 tons of marine debris from operations across Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Of this, 8.6 tons of derelict trawl nets—shown in previous polymer identification studies to be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)—have been sorted and stored for mechanical recycling. So far, 1,000 pounds of these nets have been converted into asphalt for a road in Ewa Beach, and 400 pounds have been shredded for testing in construction products by mainland U.S. companies. If successful, these products could be manufactured locally, helping reduce carbon impact and produce long-lasting infrastructure materials in Hawaiʻi.

Learn more

NOAA MDP Updates

Cover for the Guam Emergency Response Guide (Photo Credit: NOAA).

Recently Released: Guam Emergency Response Guide

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to release the "Guam Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide" (Guide). This Guide aims to improve preparedness for responding to marine debris after typhoons and other disasters in the territory, such as Typhoon Mawar, which impacted the island in 2023. The Guide outlines existing response structures at all levels of government to facilitate a coordinated and timely response. It identifies organization roles, responsibilities, and authorities as they relate to marine debris response. Its development is a product of a collaborative process with local organizations and community participation. 

Learn more

Derelict fishing gear is an issue all around the world, but particularly in the Hawaiian Islands (Photo credit: PMDP).

Upcoming Webinar: Tropical Islands Partnering on Solutions for Marine Debris (TIPS)

Help us "reel in the problem" and tackle abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) at our next webinar: From Gear to Ghost: Reeling in the Problem on October 8 at 10:00 a.m. Hawai'i Standard Time. This TIPS webinar will feature presentations from various organizations that engage in ALDFG mitigation efforts. Presenters will speak to prevention, removal, and research initiatives aimed to "reel in the problem" of ALDFG. You can register for the upcoming webinar and catch up on previous ones on our website.

Learn more

The F/V Seahawk which will be removed by the American Samoa Department of Port Administration through this funding opportunity (Photo Credit: AS DPA).

13 New Projects Recommended for Funding Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is proud to announce 13 new projects recommended for funding under our NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies award competitions. These projects represent an investment in over $23 million for marine debris removal with funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The projects recommended under these nationwide competitive funding opportunities continue the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s commitment to make tangible, beneficial impacts to coastal and marine habitats and communities across the nation.

For more information on this year’s recommended projects, please visit the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s website.

The cover of Science which featured this publication (Photo Credit: Science).

New Paper Released: "Four decades of Hawaiian monk seal entanglement data reveal the benefits of plastic debris removal" 

This paper was a collaborative effort led by NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) marine scientist and Marine Mammal Commission Science Advisor Dr. Jason Baker, involving co-authors from the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Hawai'i Sea Grant, and the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project. 

Abstract: Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear causes harm to marine species and ecosystems. To mitigate the destruction wrought by this ocean plastic debris, various cleanup programs have been established, though to our knowledge the benefits of such efforts to marine species and ecosystems have not yet been empirically demonstrated. We examined more than 40 years of Hawaiian monk seal marine debris entanglement records before and after large-scale marine debris removal efforts were initiated in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, demonstrating a substantial reduction in entanglement rates where debris removal effort was most concentrated. Large-scale and sustained removal of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear meaningfully benefits marine ecosystems and has the potential to be transformational in restoration efforts.

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Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunity: Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law We are still accepting Letters of Intent for one of two Fiscal Year 2025 Notices of Funding Opportunity (for Marine Debris Interception Technologies) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The NOAA Marine Debris Program will award up to $54 million across two funding opportunities (one has already closed): Fiscal Year 2025 NOAA Marine Debris Interception Technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with Letters of Intent due on October 09, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicant resources are available here. For more information on this funding opportunity, visit the NOAA Marine Debris Program's website.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program. Approximately $2 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funding is available to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. Eligible parties are partnerships between two community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs), or partnerships between a CBO and a federally recognized tribe, a local government, or an institution of higher learning. Learn more. Deadline: November 21, 2024​

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a Request for Applications for the Foundational and Applied Science Program. These grants cover research, education, and extension projects with a wide variety of topics and eligible entities. The total anticipated funding for this fiscal year is $300 million. The 2024 request for applications identifies the following priority program areas, some of which include reduction of food loss and waste, soil health practices, and bioeconomy development as eligible projects. Learn more. Deadlines: August 1, 2024, through November 14, 2024, depending on program area.  ​

The articles written by partners are not the opinions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and do not imply that NOAA recommends or endorses those expressed by partner organizations. These opinions and their associated actions will be carried out by interested partner organizations and are not affiliated with NOAA or the NOAA Marine Debris Program.