2012 ACCOMPLISHMENTS REPORT

Photo: Dwyane Meadows/ NOAA
Photo: NOAA/ MDP

It has been quite a year for the NOAA Marine Debris Program. The majority of 

our focus, time, and activities were dominated by leading an unprecedented 

response effort to marine debris generated by the March 2011 tsunami that 

struck Japan. 

Never before has our small program attempted to predict and prepare for a 

slow moving disaster of this kind. We turned to our expertise, focusing on 

detection, modeling, monitoring, contingency planning, communications, and 

coordinating the incredible network of people who already work on marine 

debris issues. Through this effort, there have been many successes – and 

some missteps as well – but we have consistently reviewed our way of doing 

business and changed direction when needed. We will continue to learn and 

improve our capacity to respond. 

This tragedy that took so many lives has constantly reminded us how small 

our planet really is. Debris from a disaster across the huge Pacific Ocean, 

thousands of miles away, is now having an impact on our shores. While we can 

only hope that we will not see disaster of this magnitude again in our lifetimes, 

the lessons that we learned this year will help us reduce the impacts of the 

everyday marine debris that litters our oceans and coasts.

Through it all, we were still able to pursue our mission of preventing, reducing, 

and researching the impacts of marine debris. We focused on regional activities 

this year, recognizing that every part of the country is different and requires a 

unique approach to address marine debris challenges. We developed our firstever research strategy, which identifies gaps in research and sets priorities for 

the next five years. The program also supported numerous projects to remove 

accumulated debris across the nation and strengthened partnerships that 

further our goal of changing behavior through outreach and education. 

With that, I am very pleased to present the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s 

2012 Accomplishments Report. As the years go by, and we reflect on our 

accomplishments, my hope is that the need to remove debris decreases as 

our prevention efforts are more and more successful. I look forward to the year 

ahead and our program making new strides to reduce the impacts of marine 

debris across our nation.

Nancy Wallace, Director

NOAA Marine Debris Program

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Many recreational and commercial 

vessels were damaged during 

Hurricane Katrina. As a result, 

abandonned and derelict vessels 

(ADVs), a type of marine debris, 

remained in the Gulf of Mexico. 

ADVs can damage sensitive marine 

habitats and marine life. If they lie 

within a navigational path, ADVs 

can also pose a threat to other ships.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW 2

JAPAN TSUNAMI MARINE DEBRIS 4

HONOLULU STRATEGY 7

REGIONAL FOCUS 9

SCIENCE & RESEARCH 18

OUTREACH & EDUCATION 19

PARTNERSHIPS & NEW VENTURES 21

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

REPORT OVERVIEW

This past year marked an exciting and 

dynamic time for the NOAA Marine Debris 

Program (MDP). While we laid out our 

2012-2016 research strategy, tsunamirelated marine debris from Japan started to 

wash ashore along West Coast states—a 

topic that has garnered global attention. 

Working with regional partners across 

the nation on marine debris research and 

removal efforts, the MDP strengthened 

its role within the community through a 

series of events to engage the public and 

stakeholders on the issues surrounding 

marine debris.

This report highlights our achievements 

from 2012. As you begin to read, it is 

important to remember that marine debris 

is an everyday problem. Each year, 

the Program strives to not only raise 

awareness through research, outreach and 

education, but to also change behavior and 

to ultimately “keep our seas free of debris.”

ABOUT THE NOAA MARINE 

DEBRIS PROGRAM

The NOAA MDP leads national and 

international efforts to research, prevent, 

and reduce the impacts of marine debris. 

Our staff is positioned around the country 

leading marine debris projects in partnership 

with state and local agencies, tribes, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), 

academia and industry. The program 

spearheads national research efforts and 

works to change behavior through outreach 

and education. 

For more information, visit us online: 

http://www.MarineDebris.noaa.gov

Artwork from the Program’s “Keep the 

Sea Free of Debris” 2012 art contest. 

Each year, students Kindergarten 

through eigth grade have the 

opportunity to send in artwork showing 

how marine debris impacts the ocean 

environment. 
JAPAN TSUNAMI MARINE DEBRIS

JAPAN TSUNAMI 

MARINE DEBRIS

In March 2011, a 9.0 magnitude 

earthquake and subsequent tsunami 

struck Japan, causing one of the worst 

human tragedies in the nation’s history. 

The disaster took nearly 16,000 lives 

and destroyed countless buildings. 

As the tsunami receded from land, 

it washed much of what was in the 

inundation zone into the ocean. 

Heavier materials sank closer to 

shore, while buoyant materials went 

on to make up the debris fields initially 

captured by satellite imagery and 

aerial photos of the waters surrounding 

Japan immediately after the tsunami. 

The debris fields dispersed after a 

few weeks, and some buoyant debris 

continued to float across the North 

Pacific. Over the past year, debris 

items, carried eastward by ocean 

currents and wind, have reached U.S. 

and Canadian shores. 

In March 2012, one year after the 

event, the first piece of confirmed 

JTMD – a Japanese fishing vessel 

– was found adrift off the shores of 

British Columbia. The arrival of JTMD 

highlighted the need to develop 

contingency plans in the five affected 

states. The MDP has played an 

important role in this collaborative 

effort. 

The Program recognized the need for 

additional funding for cleanup efforts 

in response to tsunami debris. In 2012, 

the MDP allocated $50,000 for debris 

projects to each of the impacted states – 

Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, 

and Hawaiʻi – to aid in removal and 

cleanup efforts.

This year the MDP also implemented 

shoreline-monitoring protocols, working 

with partners from NGOs, federal, 

state, and local agencies. To date, 157 

monitoring sites have been established 

across the West Coast and Hawai’i to 

gather baseline marine debris data that 

will assist in identifying if an increase of 

debris is occurring, which could be from 

the tsunami.

JTMD has garnered attention from 

the global media and general public. 

The MDP has organized and worked 

with partners to communicate current 

information and address concerns 

to international, federal, state, local 

stakeholders and the public through 

public meetings. These meetings have 

brought the issue of marine debris to 

the forefront and have improved on-theground outreach efforts. 

For the most recent updates regarding 

JTMD, please visit the NOAA Marine 

Debris Program website: 

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

tsunamidebris.html

34

Photo: Kevin Head

On August 13, 2012, a small Japanese 

fishing vessel (20 ft) was found on 

Spring Island, off the west coast of 

Vancouver, British Columbia. After 

matching the vessel’s registration and 

general appearance to the lost vessels 

reported to the Japan Coast Guard, the 

vessel has been confirmed as resulting 

from the tsunami.
ALASKA

Tsunami debris: monitoring in Alaska

Addressing marine debris in Alaska is 

a unique challenge; it has the largest 

coastline in the U.S. and accumulation 

sites are often in rugged and remote 

areas. It became apparent this year 

that in addition to this reality, Alaska 

was also an area of high impact for 

marine debris generated by the Japan 

tsunami. In preparation and response 

to this arrival, the MDP worked with 

NMFS ABL scientists to conduct 

shoreline monitoring in areas of impact. 

In Alaska, this effort included a total of 

87 sites, the majority of which required 

boat or plane access. Some of these 

areas have been monitored since the 

1980’s, and continuing this project 

provided an invaluable baseline that 

can be used to directly measure the 

changes in composition and quantity of 

debris that have come with the arrival of 

tsunami debris. This study, completed 

in September 2012, will be combined 

with other data to provide guidance to 

planning and scoping efforts for 2013.

WASHINGTON

JTMD State Contingency Planning

In January 2012, the state of 

Washington established a team to 

address JTMD. The team included the 

WA Dept. of Ecology, WA Department 

of Health, and WA Emergency 

Management Division. The MDP 

collaborated closely with the team 

on public outreach, including public 

meetings and presentations, and on 

a response plan to address JTMD. 

Over 50 representatives from federal 

and state agencies, coastal counties, 

tribal governments, NGOs and industry 

attended a one-day workshop to draft 

the Washington State Japan Tsunami 

Marine Debris Contingency Plan. With 

close coordination and support from 

the MDP, the plan was finalized in 

September, and Washington became 

the first of the West Coast states to 

complete a contingency plan to respond 

to heightened coastal marine debris 

impacts.

OREGON

JTMD Biofouling Regional 

Preparedness & Response Workshop

After an assessment of damage from 

the tsunami, the Government of Japan 

reported that three large docks were 

missing from its ports. One of these 

missing docks, a 66-foot long concrete 

structure draped in non-native and 

invasive species, washed ashore 

on Agate Beach in Oregon on June 

16, 2012. Concern over the invasive 

species prompted state, local and 

federal agencies to put together the 

Japan Tsunami Marine Debris Biofouling 

Regional Preparedness & Response 

Workshop. During the two-day regional 

workshop at Portland State University in 

Oregon, the MDP and approximately 80 

aquatic invasive species experts from 

federal (U.S. and Canada), tribal, and 

state government agencies, academia, 

and NGOs developed a regional, 

science-based approach to biofouling 

and tsunami-specific marine debris 

response.

CALIFORNIA

MDP Funds the Adopt-A-Beach 

Program for JTMD

Volunteer interest in marine debris 

removal efforts has surged along with 

anticipation and concerns over JTMD 

arriving on California shorelines. This 

year, the MDP provided funding for the 

Adopt-A-Beach program, an educational 

program that brings together volunteers 

to participate in beach cleanups across 

the state. The program also provides 

educational resources for the public 

about marine debris. 

HAWAII

Planning for JTMD Arrival

Early debris modeling forecasts 

predicted that the Northwestern 

Hawaiian Islands would be the first 

U.S. region to be potentially impacted 

by JTMD. In January 2012, dozens of 

federal, state, and local representatives 

came together in Honolulu during an 

MDP-led workshop to share information 

and begin discussions on contingency 

response to this debris. The MDP also 

led the creation of a federal interagency 

contingency plan for the Main Hawaiian 

Islands. A plan for the Northwestern 

Hawaiian Islands has also been drafted, 

and will eventually become a part of the 

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National 

Monument’s Emergency Response 

Plan.

In June 2012, the MDP and its partners 

launched a Puma Unmanned Aircraft 

System (UAS) off the coast of Hawaiʻi to 

see if it could detect simulated marine 

debris in the ocean. Researchers placed 

simulated debris of varying sizes, 

shapes and buoyancies in the water and 

launched the UAS (which resembles 

a model airplane) from a vessel over 

the items. This test was one of NOAA’s 

proactive efforts to identify effective 

technologies for locating marine debris 

at sea—including debris from the Japan 

tsunami. There is still much work to do 

on whether this technology can be used, 

but the test was a good step forward in 

the process.

Photo: Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation

66-foot dock found on Agate Beach 

in Oregon. This dock sparked interest 

in state and federal agencies, along 

with the science community, to take a 

closer look at biofouling as it relates to 

marine debris.
HONOLULU STRATEGY

HONOLULU STRATEGY

In March of 2011, NOAA co-hosted 

the Fifth International Marine Debris 

Conference (5IMDC) in cooperation 

with the United Nations Environment 

Programme and other agencies and 

organizations. The conference brought 

the marine debris community together 

to develop and create a document 

known as the Honolulu Strategy. The 

Honolulu Strategy is a framework for 

a comprehensive and global effort to 

reduce the ecological, human health, 

and economic impacts of marine debris 

globally.

It is intended for use on multiple 

levels—global, regional, national, 

and local—involving the full spectrum 

of civil society, government and 

intergovernmental organizations, and 

the private sector. The framework aims 

to reduce, prevent manage marine 

debris from at-sea and land-based 

sources and includes the removal and 

processing of accumulated marine 

debris. NOAA finalized this Strategy and 

began implementing its guidelines in 

early 2012.

Download a copy of the Honolulu 

Strategy and learn more about the 

5IMDC: 

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

projects/intlmdconf.html

78

Photo: NOAA Marine Debris Progrram

The Great Pacific Garbage Patches 

are areas of high marine debris 

accumulation in the Pacific Ocean due 

to ocean circulation.
Photo: Jacek Maselko/NOAA

NORTHEAST COAST

Engaging Diverse Maine 

Communities In Derelict Lobster Gear 

Removal and Disposal

In the Northeast region, lost or 

abandoned derelict lobster traps 

pose a significant threat to the marine 

environment and local fisheries. 

Beginning in 2011, the Gulf of Maine 

Lobster Foundation, with support from 

the MDP, engaged coastal stakeholders 

in the Northeast region in a two-year 

cleanup effort to remove lost and derelict 

lobster traps from marine and coastal 

habitats. The project, which ended this 

year, has helped remove 20 metric tons 

of at-sea debris, 13 tons of shoreline 

debris, restored two acres of coastalmarine habitat and enlisted the help of 

100 volunteers, totaling 572 volunteer 

hours. 

New England Derelict Gear Workshop 

and State Manager Roundtable

In February 2012, the MDP led a 

workshop in the Northeast with 

representatives in the coastal 

community to discuss derelict fishing 

gear (DFG) issues in the region. 

Representatives from nine states, 

including members of non-profits, the 

fishing industry, federal agencies, and 

state agencies, came together to build a 

regional research agenda and prioritize 

project outcomes to help state managers 

effectively address DFG in their states. 

State managers also began exploring 

solutions to reduce, work around, or 

remove unintended barriers to voluntary 

DFG removal in New England. 

SOUTHEAST COAST

Engaging Diverse Maine 

Communities In Derelict Lobster Gear 

Removal and Disposal

The MDP worked with the University 

of Georgia to establish the Southeast 

Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative (SEAMDI)—a tri-state consortium spanning 

North Carolina, South Carolina and 

Georgia to strategize local and federal 

marine debris efforts. In 2012, with 

support from the MDP, the SEA-MDI 

funded six education and outreach 

projects, which included projects 

such as Clean Marine: Debris Free 

Waterways in Beaufort County, SC – a 

multi-agency project set-up to raise 

marine debris awareness in South 

Carolina, and the Georgia Sea Turtle 

Center Marine Debris Citizen Science 

and Education Program—an outreach 

and standards-based education program 

presented in classrooms to students 

along Georgia’s coast. The program also 

created a citizen science program using 

the Marine Debris Tracker smartphone 

app. 

To learn more about the SEA-MDI and 

all MDP projects along the East Coast, 

visit us online: 

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

about/ecoast.html

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Photo: Anna Manyak/ NOAA

GREAT LAKES

Fordson Island Rids its Banks of 

Abandoned Boats 

Since May 2011, the MDP has 

supported a project to remove derelict 

and abandoned vessels from Fordson 

Island, a heavily urbanized and once 

under-appreciated area in the Rouge 

River. The river’s watershed is the 

oldest and most heavily populated 

and industrialized area in southeast 

Michigan. Funding from the MDP and 

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, 

through NOAA’s Great Lakes Habitat 

Restoration Program, created jobs for 

volunteers to clean up the shoreline 

and remove the vessels in the nearshore area. To date, through five 

separate events, volunteers removed 

21 derelict boats, roughly 40 tires, and 

other surface debris from the island for 

a combined total of 122 metric tons of 

debris.

Plunge into Great Lakes to find out more 

about Fordson Island and other local 

projects in the region:

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

about/grtlakes.html

Marine debris collected along on the Isle 

Shoals during a cleanup with Blue Ocean 

Society for Marine Conservation. Volunteers 

including the Marine Debris Program 

removed buoys from the local waters.
WEST COAST

A Coast-Wide Effort: The West Coast 

Governors Alliance Marine Debris 

Team

The Marine Debris Action Coordination 

Team (MD ACT), formed by the West 

Coast Governors’ Agreement in 

2008, has been working to address 

marine debris along the West Coast 

in a coordinated, ecosystem-based 

approach. In 2012, the MD ACT, 

representing the three states, Federal 

agencies, Tribes, NGO, and industry, 

met at three action-oriented workshops 

to discuss derelict fishing gear, land 

based debris, and the best strategies 

to address these issues. The result of 

these workshops was a comprehensive 

strategy addressing marine debris, a 

marine debris coalition of experts and 

stakeholders to facilitate coordination 

and communication, and the 

development of a West Coast Marine 

Debris Database.

ALASKA

Dungeness Crab Pots: New Gear 

Technologies

In 2012, the MDP continued to 

work actively in the state of Alaska. 

Culminating a two-year study of derelict 

crab pots, the MDP worked with NMFS 

ABL scientists to examine behaviors of 

Dungeness crabs entrapped in pots. 

Their experiment uncovered a crucial 

fact: the lack of a gap in the closure of 

the crab pot prevented escapement. 

When a gap was present between 

the pot lid and the frame, crabs were 

able to escape. The MDP worked with 

the scientists to test multiple alternate 

escape mechanisms, identifying 

potential changes to crab pot designs 

which could reduce ghost-fishing 

impacts of lost gear. The findings of 

this study will be communicated to the 

Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 

the lead regulating agency for gear in 

the Dungeness fisheries, for evaluation 

and potential integration into regulations 

moving forward.

Check out the MDPs on-going projects 

in the Alaska region:

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

about/alaska.html

Clean Coast Alliance: Coast Savers 

Annual Cleanup

The Washington Clean Coast Alliance 

was formed in 2007 and launched the 

Coast Savers program to coordinate 

the efforts of volunteer groups and 

individuals who have been cleaning up 

Washington’s Pacific Coast since 1971. 

With funding from NOAA, the Alliance 

developed a comprehensive coastal 

cleanup guideline document and used it 

to conduct well-managed and effective 

volunteer cleanups that netted over 25 

tons of marine debris on average per 

year. In 2011, the Alliance and NOAA 

formed a 5-year regional partnership 

that allowed the MDP to support the 

program even more, and Coast Savers 

to continue its excellent efforts in the 

face of a massive recession. Thanks to 

the hard work of the Alliance volunteers 

and leadership team, the annual cleanup 

continues to be highly successful in 

mobilizing volunteers and removing 

marine debris from the entire length of 

Washington’s outer coast, and in 2012 

over 1,000 volunteers removed 30 tons 

of marine debris.

Want more information on the MDP’s 

work in the West Coast? Visit us online:

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

about/wcoast.html

Photo: Jacek Maselko/NOAA

GULF OF MEXICO

Cleaning up the Pascagoula River

The lower Pascagoula River in 

Mississippi, home to numerous 

threatened and endangered species 

such as the Yellow-blotched Map 

Turtle and Gulf Sturgeon, is an area 

negatively impacted by marine debris. 

With support from the MDP, Coastal 

Rivers, a local NGO, has developed a 

Litter Free Waterways Initiative focused 

on debris removal efforts along the lower 

Pascagoula River. The two-year project 

culminated in 2012 with volunteers 

removing over 40 tons of debris, which 

included more than 20 pieces of “white 

goods”—items such as refrigerators, 

freezers and other large household 

appliances. Through the initiative, 

Coastal Rivers has educated local 

groups such as the National Wildlife 

Federation Habitat Stewards Program 

and Pascagoula River Basin Alliance 

Board on the prevalence and impacts of 

marine debris on their local environment. 

To learn more about this project and 

others in the Gulf of Mexico Region, visit 

our Gulf of Mexico page online: 

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

about/gom.html

A cluster of buoys found by a team 

of NOAA scientist along the Gulf of 

Alaskan shoreline while conducting 

marine debris monitoring and 

assessment protocols.
Photo: Jake Asher/ NOAA

PACIFIC ISLANDS

O’ahu Marine Debris Response 

Protocols

In the state of Hawaiʻi, there is not 

a single government agency or 

organization responsible for removing 

marine debris, making it a multijurisdictional issue. In addition, 

responsible agencies have limited 

resources and capacity to respond. 

The MDP, working with TetraTech, Inc., 

assisted response agencies on Oʻahu to 

streamline coordination and collection 

of marine debris sighting information. 

The result is an inter-agency protocol 

to assist in effective coordination 

among government agencies primarily 

responsible for removing marine debris 

on the Island of Oʻahu. This protocol 

provides a listing of response agencies, 

jurisdictions, and support organizations 

that may be able to assist with removal 

on a voluntary basis. It also lays out 

methods for processing marine debris 

reports to facilitate timely removal and 

tracking of those reports and responses. 

The release of this product has aided 

state and county agencies in response 

planning for potential Japan tsunami 

marine debris.

Hawai’i Island Marine Debris 

Removal Project

The windward Wai’ōhinu-Ka Lae 

coastline (east of South Point) on 

the Big Island of Hawai‘i has long 

been known as a marine debris 

accumulation site. Most of this 

shoreline is very remote and difficult 

to access, and it is probably the most 

debris-littered coast in the state. The 

Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund (HWF), with 

support from the MDP since 2005, 

has continued to clear this coastline 

of marine debris. 

In 2012, HWF and volunteers 

removed over eight tons of marine 

debris in 282 volunteer workdays, 

during 10 cleanup events and 10 

net removal patrols, covering 51 

miles. With MDP funding, HWF 

and hundreds of volunteers have 

removed nearly 104 tons of debris 

from this shoreline since 2005. 

Volunteers collected data during 

each effort and hauled the marine 

debris to a nearby transfer station, 

where the nets, line, and rope were 

shipped to the Island of Oʻahu by 

Matson Navigation Co. The debris 

was then used to create electricity in 

Hawai‘i’s Nets to Energy Program.

Marine Debris Removal in the 

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Begun in 1996, this cleanup effort is 

NOAA’s largest marine debris removal 

effort in the nation. Since 2006, NOAA 

has focused on targeted removal efforts 

in high-density areas for derelict fishing 

gear, one of the most harmful types 

of marine debris in the Northwestern 

Hawaiian Islands. Each year, trained 

NOAA divers with the NOAA Pacific 

Islands Fisheries Science Center’s Coral 

Reef Ecosystem Division painstakingly 

remove derelict nets and gear from the 

coral reefs and coastlines throughout 

this World Heritage Site. These nets, 

line, and rope are brought back to the 

Island of Oʻahu where they are used 

to create electricity in Hawaiʻi’s Nets to 

Energy Program. In 2012, a team of 17 

NOAA staff removed nearly 52 metric 

tons of harmful marine debris, all of 

which was used to create electricity. 

In 2012, funding and support was 

provided by the Papahānaumokuākea 

Marine National Monument, the MDP, 

and NOAA’s Damage Assessment, 

Remediation, and Restoration Program.

Dive deeper into this and other MDP 

projects in the Pacific Islands: 

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

about/pacislands.html

CARIBBEAN

Derelict Fish Traps in the U.S. Virgin 

Islands

In St. John and St. Thomas, local fish 

stock has been a valuable resource 

for generations of fishermen both 

economically and culturally. The 

occurrence of Derelict Fish Traps 

(DFTs) can negatively impact not only 

the health of fish stocks in the area but 

also the viability of active commercial 

fishing equipment. With the support 

of the MDP, NOAA’s National Centers 

for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) 

assessed the causes and potential 

impacts of DFTs, provided an initial 

estimate of derelict fishing traps (DFTs) 

stranded in 20-40m of water depth, and 

established a method to quantify derelict 

trap abundance using autonomous 

underwater vehicles. The project has 

led to a better understanding of DFTs in 

the U.S. Virgin Islands, and will be used 

to support management decisions and 

removal efforts.

Find out more about this and other MDP 

projects in the Caribbean: 

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

about/carib.html

NOAA diver removes a nest of derelict 

fishing gear (DFG). in this case nets, 

from the ocean column. DFG not only 

negatively impacts the environment, but 

can also pose a navigational hazzard 

for ships. 
SCIENCE & RESEARCH

Photo: NOAA Marine Debris Program

MARINE DEBRIS RESEARCH

In 2012, the MDP made important 

strides forward in marine debris 

research by finalizing its first-ever 

research strategy. This document 

represents a major milestone for 

the Program, as it identifies gaps in 

research and sets priorities for the 

next five years. As part of this strategy, 

funding for projects in 2012 focused 

on understanding the economic impact 

of marine debris and monitoring 

shorelines to better understand debris 

concentrations and movement.

Also in 2012, the MDP fully engaged 

in a working group, chaired by 

the United Nations’ Joint Group of 

Experts on the Scientific Aspects of 

Marine Protection (GESAMP), that is 

investigating the sources, fate, and 

effects of micro-plastics in the marine 

environment. This working group 

brings together international experts 

in varied disciplines to assess the 

state of knowledge and complete a 

global assessment of micro-plastic 

marine debris. Prior microplastics 

workshops and initiatives from NOAA 

have spurred increased interest in this 

topic, and contribution to this working 

group will be the Program’s major 

microplastics initiative over the next 

three years.

MONITORING

The Marine Debris Monitoring and 

Assessment Project (MD-MAP) made 

major steps forward in 2012. In previous 

years, the MDP developed standardized 

methods for monitoring and assessment 

of marine debris on shorelines and in 

surface waters. This year, in partnership 

with Versar, Inc., the MDP completed a 

project to test the protocols and develop 

guidelines for the frequency and amount 

of sampling needed. The results of this 

project will be published in 2013, and 

will include guidelines for monitoring 

in benthic, water column, and marsh 

environments.

In addition, the MDP and NCCOS 

Cooperative Oxford Laboratory 

completed a multi-year field component 

of a pilot project on Chesapeake Bay 

tributaries to test and refine the MD-MAP 

protocols. . 

The MDP also developed and distributed 

a user-friendly Marine Debris Shoreline 

Survey Field Guide which was met with 

much interest; nearly 300 individuals and/

or organizations have requested the field 

guide to-date. In January 2012, the MDP 

began to partner with various groups on 

regular monitoring at sites potentially 

impacted by Japan tsunami debris for a 

period of two years. As a result, the MDMAP quickly grew to over 87 shoreline 

sites across Alaska, Washington, Oregon, 

California, and Hawaiʻi.

Delve into our monitoring projects online: 

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

projects/monitoring.html

17 18

Photo: PIFSC/ NOAA

NOAA divers survey marine debris on 

the ocean floor.
OUTREACH & EDUCATION

Photo: Dianna Parker/ NOAA

19

OUTREACH & EDUCATION

Every year, the NOAA MDP actively 

participates in outreach events across 

the country to spread awareness 

about marine debris and its impacts, 

and encourage changes in behavior 

to address the issue. This year, the 

MDP participated in over 100 outreach 

events, educating nearly 20,000 people 

on current topics such as the ‘Great 

Pacific Garbage Patch’ and JTMD. 

Event participants were encouraged to 

be a part of the marine debris solution 

by spreading awareness on the issue 

and taking part in coastal and waterway 

cleanups.

20

TEACHABLE SCIENCE: 

OCEAN EDITION -- 

TEACHER’S WORKSHOP

In June, the NOAA MDP participated in 

the “Teachable Science: Ocean Edition” 

teachers professional development 

workshop lead by the NOAA National 

Marine Fisheries Service. Twenty 

elementary school teachers from 

across the Montgomery County Public 

School District took part in the two-day 

event, held at the Lathrop E. Smith 

Environmental Education Center, which 

covered ocean properties, diversity of 

life, ocean exploration and stewardship, 

and marine debris. The purpose of the 

workshop was to increase ocean literacy 

and encourage ocean stewardship, 

in order to help integrate the Ocean 

Literacy Principles into the classrooms. 

By linking presented marine debris 

material and lesson plans to both the 

Maryland State Department of Education 

and Montgomery County Public School 

System’s environmental education 

standards, it encouraged the integration 

of marine debris education into the 

required curriculum.

Dive into and download our outreach 

and education materials online:

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

outreach/welcome.html

Volunteers from the International 

Coastal Cleanup at the Anacostia Park 

in Washington, D.C. show their com-

pleted debris data card.
PARTNERSHIPS & NEW VENTURES

ALICE FERGUSON 

FOUNDATION

The Alice Ferguson Foundation 

connects people to the natural world, 

sustainable agricultural practices 

and the cultural heritage of their 

local watershed through education, 

stewardship and advocacy. For the 

past six years, the NOAA Marine Debris 

Program has helped sponsor the annual 

Potomac Trash Summit hosted by the 

Alice Ferguson Foundation. This year, 

the Trash Summit brought together 

representatives from approximately 20 

organizations and municipalities with a 

stake in the cleanliness of the Potomac. 

Highlighted topics included wasterelated policies, waste containment, and 

in-stream trash reduction technologies, 

among others.

www.fergusonfoundation.org

FISHING FOR ENERGY

Fishing for Energy is a partnership 

between Covanta Energy, the National 

Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the NOAA 

MDP, and Schnitzer Steel, designed to 

provide a cost-free disposal solution for 

derelict or otherwise unusable fishing 

gear to commercial fishermen across the 

nation. The program gives fishermen 

a place to dispose of derelict gear they 

come across while on the water and 

eases the financial burden associated 

with the disposal of unusable fishing 

gear in landfills. By placing bins at busy 

fishing ports, the program significantly 

increases the likelihood that derelict 

gear does not become marine debris. 

This year, the partnership added 

Montauk, NY and Newburyport, MA to its 

ports list, bringing the total participation 

to 31 ports in nine states.

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov/

projects/fishing4energy.html

OCEAN CONSERVANCY

Ocean Conservancy is a national nonprofit group advocating healthy oceans 

and leads the annual International 

Coastal Cleanup (ICC) effort. The 

MDP has supported the ICC since 

the inception of the Program in 2005, 

and this year marked seven years of 

dedication to cleaner waterways. The 

Program has also worked with the 

Ocean Conservancy on Keep the Coast 

Clear--an online, multimedia platform 

to engage the public and raise general 

awareness about marine debris in the 

public. The website, 

www.keepthecoastclear.org, is 

developed in partnership with Ocean 

Conservancy and includes innovative 

tools and educational content to 

communicate effective marine debris 

messages and campaigns created and 

shared through social media, video and 

various other platforms.

www.oceanconservancy.org

22

THE LEGACY FOUNDATION

Legacy Foundation develops programs 

that address the health effects of 

tobacco use. In 2012, the MDP began 

working with the Legacy Foundation on 

a very specific facet of marine debris - 

cigarette butt debris, the most collected 

item at beach cleanups. The filters of 

cigarettes are made of cellulose acetate, 

a type of plastic. Plastics can persist 

in the marine environment for long 

periods of time and harm human and 

animal health. Working together with the 

Legacy Foundation, the MDP is using 

this knowledge to raise awareness of the 

harm that cigarette-butt debris has on 

the ocean environment.

www.legacyforhealth.org

THE AMERICAN 

CANOE ASSOCIATION

The American Canoe Association (ACA) 

is a national nonprofit organization 

serving the broader paddling public by 

providing education related to all aspects 

of paddling; stewardship support to help 

protect paddling environments; and 

sanctioning of programs and events to 

promote paddlesport competition and 

recreation. This past year, the MDP 

partnered with the American Canoe 

Association to help fund the production 

of cleanup bags specific to kayak and 

canoe cleanup events. The reusable 

mesh bags are perforated for the water 

environment and make capturing and 

discarding debris directly from our 

waters more efficient.

www.americancanoe.org

21
We are proud to look back on our 

accomplishments from 2012 from across 

the nation. The MDP has a dedicated 

and passionate team working to raise 

awareness on marine debris issues 

and work with local partners. 2013 will 

be an exciting year as we broach new 

partnerships in marine debris research, 

outreach and education – working 

towards “keeping our seas free of 

debris.” 

THANK YOU

23 24

Want to stay informed?

Keep up with NOAA Marine Debris 

Program’s work by subscribing to our 

monthly e-newsletter:

www.MarineDebris.noaa.gov/

publications/weekly.html

Photo: Jacek Maselko/NOAA

Aerial view of the pristine waters off 

the Gulf of Alaska. We work to “Keep 

Our Seas Free of Debris.”
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND

ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Rebecca Blank, Secretary (Acting)

Undersecretary of Commerce for 

Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator

Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D.

Assistant Administrator for 

Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management, 

National Ocean Service

David Kennedy

www.MarineDebris.noaa.gov