NOAA Marine Debris Program & Project Accomplishments

2005-2006

2005 Program Accomplishments

• NOAA implemented a monofilament recycling project to reduce marine debris in 

Puerto Rico by providing assistance to a local NGO to establish an educational 

campaign to build and install recycling bins at local marinas

• Established the NOAA Marine Debris program focused on the prevention, reduction, 

and removal of marine debris; hiring of Program Coordinator, Public Affairs 

Specialist, and Outreach Coordinator

• Established 2 Federal funding opportunities through NFWF and Restoration Center

• Took an active role in the re-establishment of the Interagency Marine Debris 

Committee as stated in the Ocean Action Plan; NOAA serving as co-chair

• Collaborated with the United Nations Environment Program to provide technical 

assistance to countries in the Wider Caribbean Region interested in reducing landbased sources of pollution, including marine debris

• Expanded our existing relationship with the National Sea Grant Office and Indonesia 

after the December 2004 tsunami to share examples of how the U.S. Sea Grant 

Network operates and responds to coastal hazards including marine debris issues

• Attended the June (2005) UNICPOLOS (United Nations Informal Consultative 

Process on Law of the Sea) to engage in focused discussions on marine debris. 

• Participated in the UN General Assembly Oceans Resolution negotiations which 

included text on marine debris

• Working with other agencies to develop guidelines for prioritization of marine debris 

in response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and for future emergency 

situations

• Worked with National Geographic/National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation to fund 

an exhibit that featured the NWHI and marine debris issues, as well as a photographic 

coffee table book

2006 Program Accomplishments

• Conducted a successful workshop for development of an Implementation Plan for the 

Marine Debris Program---comprised of 40 participants, 20 from NOAA and 20 from 

outside of NOAA (federal & state agencies, ngo’s industry and private sector). 

Produced 105 actions from which to hone direction of project funding and overall 

program.

• Developed and implemented two-year Implementation Plan for the Program, to 

enhance NOAA capabilities within several focus areas, including education and 

outreach, protocols and training, derelict fishing gear impacts, and coordination 

among partners to reduce and prevent marine debris. The range of projects funded 

this year include such areas as emergency response, research and development of new 

technologies, cleanup efforts in targeted areas, nationwide education programs, 
monofilament recycling programs, and projects that reduce the impact of marine 

debris on marine mammals and seabirds

• Continued chairing of Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee, 

spearheading efforts to create a purview of the Committee as well as the 

establishment of two ad hoc working groups for international marine debris and 

educational messaging.

• Established 2 Federal funding opportunities through NFWF and Restoration Center

• NOAA (including the Marine Debris Program) and The Walt Disney Company have 

entered into a partnership to “Promote Marine Debris Awareness and Young 

Stewards of the Ocean”. fostered by the National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation 

(NMSF); other partners include the Environmental Defense Fund and the Ad Council 

The focus of the campaign is to create a public-private partnership to educate families 

on the importance of clean oceans and how marine debris can impact marine life. 

This will be achieved through Public Service Announcement campaign linked to the 

re-release of the Little Mermaid DVD.

• Integration of Marine Debris identification and recording into Shoreline Cleanup 

Assessment Training (SCAT) for Emergency Response to oil spills and other 

hazardous situations. Demonstration of this integration occurred during the multiagency Safe Seas Exercise in San Francisco, August 2006.