OCS Study 

MMS 96-0023 

Marine Debris 

Point Source Investigation : 

Padre Island National Seashore 

March 1994-September 1995 

US. Department of the Interior 

Minerals Management Service 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 
OCS Study 

MMS 96-0023 

Marine Debris 

Point Source Investigation : 

Padre Island National Seashore 

March 1994-September 1995 

Authors 

John E. Miller 

Darrell L. Echols 

Prepared under Interagency Agreement 

No . 11957 with 

National Park Service 

Padre Island National Seashore 

Resources Management Division 

9405 South Padre Island Drive 

Corpus Christi, Texas 78418 

Published by 

U .S . Department of the Interior 

Minerals Management Service New Orleans 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region August 1996 
DISCLAIMER 

This report was prepared under an Interagency Agreement with the National Park Service (NPS). This 

report has been technically reviewed by the NPS and the Minerals Management Service (MMS), and it 

has been approved for publication . Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the 

views and policies of the NPS or MMS, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products 

constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. It is, however, exempt from review and compliance 

with MMS editorial standards . 

REPORT AVAILABILITY 

Extra copies of this report may be obtained from the Public Information Office (Mail Stop 5034) at the 

following address : 

U .S. Department of the Interior 

Minerals Management Service 

Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 

Public Information Office (MS 5034) 

1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard 

New Orleans, Louisiana 70123-2394 

Telephone: (504) 736-2519 or 

1-800-200-GULF 

CITATION 

Suggested citation : 

Miller, J.E. and D.L. Echols . 1996. Marine Debris Point Source Investigation, March 1994-September 

1995. OCS Study MMS 96-0023 . U .S. Dept. of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Gulf 

of Mexico OCS Region, New Orleans, LA, and U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service, 

Padre Island National Seashore, Corpus Christi, TX. 35 pp . 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

We would like to thank the numerous employees and volunteers that worked long hours under harsh 

conditions to collect the data . This report is a result of their hard work and dedication. We would also like 

to acknowledge the support that we have received over the years from the following individuals . Because 

of their support, the Gulf of Mexico may become a healthier environment for all of us. Villere Reggio, 

Minerals Management Service, who always believed in our study . Jim Ratterree and Laura Radde of 

Region IV of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Bill Holland, Gulf of Mexico Program . Angela de 

la Garza, Texas General Land Office/Gulf of Mexico Program. Steve Whitesell and Kathy Stokes, U .S. 

Navy. Clyde Jones and Jeff Passmore, Offshore Operators Committee. Dr. Roger Zimmerman and Dr. 

Jim Nance, National Marine Fisheries Service. Chris Pease and Wayne McAlister, Matagorda Island 

National Wildlife Refuge. Sharon Kliwinski, National Park Service Marine Debris Coordinator. Butch 

Farabee, Superintendent, Padre Island National Seashore. Paul Eubank, Bruce Sternberg, Charlie 

McCarley, Roddy Wilder, Amy Lewis, Kate Taylor, Kelly Strnadel, Ellen Little, Liz Miller, Dee Genzer, Mark 

Zembrod, Park staff, Padre Island National Seashore. Andy Bymers, Kelly Echols, Melodie Waters, Park 

volunteers, Padre Island National Seashore. 

This research project was made possible because of the continued funding support that we have received 

from the following : 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Gulf of Mexico Program 

Minerals Management Service 

U.S. Navy 

Offshore Operators Committee 

iii 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The shoreline of Padre Island National Seashore is one of the most polluted in the United States. Marine 

debris pollution is the foremost natural resource problem at the National Seashore and is responsible for 

numerous wildlife injuries and deaths from entanglement and ingestion . Debris in the form of toxic 

chemicals and medical waste pose a health and safety hazard to the public . 

For the past decade, the issue of marine debris has been studied by many different government agencies 

and private organizations, both internationally and in the United States. Most of these studies have 

focused on answering the question of whether marine pollution laws and regulations are working to 

decrease the amount of garbage in the world's oceans. 

Padre Island National Seashore has conducted intensive marine debris research for the past seven years. 

From March 1994 until March 1995, the research was conducted daily over a 16-mile section of shoreline, 

culminating with our 1994-1995 Marine Debris Point Source Investigation (Miller et al ., 1995). The result of 

this research project indicated that two point sources could be identified . These two sources were the 

commercial shrimping and the offshore oil and gas industries. 

Based on the methodologies utilized for the 1994-1995 efforts, the current study, Marine Debris Point 

Source Investigation : Offshore Oil & Gas Industry, is a continuation of this research. The primary focus of 

this report is to analyze the numbers of specific debris items associated with the offshore oil and gas 

industry per month for 18 months (March 1, 1994-September 30, 1995). 

Results of this research have indicated the offshore oil and gas industry is suspected of contributing 13% 

of all debris collected . Of the 63,000 debris items collected from the study site during the 18-month 

project, the offshore oil and gas industry was tentatively identified for 8,063 items. However, it must be 

pointed out that, unlike the debris associated with the commercial shrimping industry, which has been 

statistically correlated to that specific point source, several of the debris item categories associated with 

the oil and gas industry are also used by other marine industries. Consequently, many of these debris 

items could have been discarded by those other sources. 

iv 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1 .0 Introduction 1 

2.0 Item Selection 2 

2.1 Offshore Oil & Gas Industry 2 

2.2 Commercial Shrimping Industry 3 

2.3 Items from an Unknown Source 4 

3.0 Data Analysis 5 

4.0 Results 5 

4.1 Total Debris Items Collected (March 1, 1994-September 30, 1995) 8 

4.2 Offshore Oil & Gas Industry 10 

4.3 Commercial Shrimping Industry 16 

4.4 Items from an Unknown Source 24 

5.0 Discussion 30 

6.0 Bibliography 31 

Figures 

Figure 1 . Map of Padre Island 1 

Tables 

Table 1 . Offshore Oil & Gas Industry 2 

Table 2. Commercial Shrimping Industry 3 

Table 3. Items from an Unknown Source 4 

Table 4. Descriptive Statistics - Marine Debris Items (March 1995-September 1995) 7 

Table 5. Descriptive Statistics - Marine Debris Items (March 1994-September 1995) 9 

v 
1 .0 Introduction 

Padre Island is a barrier island located on the 

southeastern coast of Texas (Figure 1) . 

Created by the Congress of the United States 

in 1962, Padre Island National Seashore 

(PINS) is the longest undeveloped beach in 

the United States - 68 miles in length . 

Although similar in many ways to other 

National Seashores, PINS is atypical because 

of the large quantity of garbage that washes 

onto its shoreline. 

With the signing of the Plastics Act in 1987, 

the United States joined 39 other nations in 

ratifying Annex V of the International 

Convention for the Prevention of Pollution 

from Ships, known as MARPOL. This treaty 

bans the dumping of plastics by vessels at 

sea. It also limits the dumping of other vesselgenerated garbage to specific distances from 

shore . In the Gulf of Mexico, the treaty 

expressly prohibits the discharge of any 

vessel-generated garbage. Because of the 

sheer amount of plastics and other debris 

washing onto the PINS shoreline, we 

questioned whether MARPOL regulations are 

working . 

S -,. ~ ,.Y5 

Aransas Bay 

Aransas Pan Ship Channel 

cow.. c 

Mustang bland n'x 

. . . v ~~.~ :i . 

z7-na ? ;s . ; p ;. 

%~;C..±3;~` 

B,m, uy North Padre Island 

4,,'.;, ~~,~ti~`,<< GultotMeiico 

Texas 

.:1. 

VY 

I.oguoa INadre ;, 

port law ~~ Mawfleld Channel 

2670' 

10 ~0 South Padre Island 

km 

Port Iaabel~' :t~ ;; Bnzw Santiago Pass 

.; 

9!°00' 9TJ0' ~ 97°00" f6°30' 

Figure 1 . Map of Padre Island . 

Padre Island National Seashore has conducted marine debris research since 1988 using a 

variety of methodologies. These include : 48 months of data from six 50 x 100 meter transects 

collected quarterly; 19 months of 5 days/week data from four 50 x 100 meter transects; three 

months of 5 days/week data from a transect covering eight miles of shoreline; and, 19 months 

of 7 days/week data from a transect covering 16 miles of shoreline . 

Based on findings from each of the previous studies, what types of debris items to survey and 

methods for surveying, were developed to identify and assess the magnitude of marine point 

source pollution in the Gulf of Mexico. In February 1994, PINS began an investigation to 

connect the amount of garbage washing onto the beach from specific sources. This project 

involved a 7 day/week survey of 16 miles of shoreline for 42 specific marine debris items. The 

specific items surveyed included 15 items associated with the commercial shrimping industry, 

13 items associated with the offshore oil and gas industry, and 14 items that are associated 

with an unknown source. These debris items were collected and the number/types were 

recorded on standardized data sheets . Methods and results from this study have been 

reported in the Marine Debris Point Source Investigation 1994 - 1995 (Miller, Baker, Echols, 

1995). 
The Marine Debris Point Source Investigation 1994 - 1995 was inclusive for 12 months of data 

collection from March 1, 1994 to February 28, 1995. This new report is a continuation of 

marine debris analysis of accumulation and composition from March 1, 1995 and September 

30, 1995. Methods for data collecting, reporting, and analysis are identical to the methods 

utilized for the Marine Debris Point Source Investigation 1994 - 1995. However, the primary 

focus of this report is to analyze the numbers of specific debris items associated with the 

offshore oil and gas industry per month for 18 months (March 1, 1994 - September 30, 1995). 

2.0 Item Selection 

2.1 Offshore Oil & Gas Industry 

Thirteen items associated with offshore oil and gas platforms were identified (Table 1). A list 

was compiled in partnership with the Minerals Management Service and the Offshore Operators 

Committee (whose members include major oil & gas companies operating in the Gulf of 

Mexico) . ARCO Oil and Gas Company conducted a marine debris survey in 1990 to assess 

offshore operator compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations under MARPOL Annex V. 

ARCO's study developed a list of items that is representative of platform debris . 

Table 1 : Offshore Oil & Gas Industry 

Item Use 

Strip Lumber Stripping over pipe or equipment 

Clear Plastic Sheeting Weatherproofing material used during transportation 

and storage 

Wood Pallet Transporting chemicals and equipment 

Wood Spool Transporting wire, rope and electrical wire 

5-Gallon Container Transporting fuel, tube oil, chemicals and detergents 

Plastic Strap Transporting and storage of chemicals and equipment 

Tire (with attachment holes) Vessel and structure bumpers 

Hard Hat Personal protective equipment for offshore personnel 

Write Enable Ring Storing technical information 

Life Jacket Personal protective equipment for platform personnel 

Pipe Thread Protector Protection of drilling pipes 

55-Gallon Container Transporting and storage of tube oils, chemicals, and 

detergents 

Styrofoam Buoy Marking subsea pipelines and equipment 

2 
2.2 Commercial Shrimping Industry 

A list of items associated with the shrimping industry was developed through communications 

with the United States Coast Guard and conversations with individuals familiar with the 

shrimping industry in the Gulf of Mexico. Fifteen items were selected and targeted for the 

investigation . Before beginning, items were grouped into two categories - probable and 

suspected . " Probable" items were unique and specific to the shrimping industry; " suspected" 

items were those that appeared in great numbers during the same time that the probable items 

washed ashore (Table 2) . 

Table 2: Commercial Shrimping Industry 

Item Use 

Probable : 

Rubber Glove Protection of hands from shrimp and by-catch during 

separation of the catch 

Onion Sack Packaging/transporting shrimp, storage of vegetables, 

and storage of garbage 

Salt Bag Separating by-catch from shrimp and storage of 

garbage 

I~Wood Disk 

I 

Placed on lead line of shrimp nets for keeping the net 

off the sea floor 

IPlastic Scoop 

I 

Picking up shrimp and by catch 

1-Liter Oil Container Lubricant used in boat engines and generators 

Sodium Metabisulfite An additive used for removing spots from shrimp 

I Suspected : 

Egg Carton Galley item 

Incandescent Light Bulb Providing light 

Fluorescent Light Bulb Providing light 

Plastic Condiment Container Galley item 

Glass Condiment Container Galley item 

1-Gallon Milk Container Galley item 

Oil and Fuel Filter Filtering of tube oils and fuels 

Fish Basket Transporting commercial fishing catch 

3 
2.3 Items from an Unknown Source 

Fourteen items from an unknown source were selected for long-term analysis of marine debris 

composition and accumulation at PINS (Table 3) . These items may be associated with 

shipping, recreational boating, beach visitation, or land-based non-point sources (e.g ., landfills, 

storm drains, etc .) . 

Table 3: Items from an Unknown Source 

Item I Use 

Plastic'/2-Gallon Milk Container Transporting and storing milk 

< 1-Gallon Blue Bleach Container Transporting and storing bleach 

Balloon and Ribbon Decorations and celebrations 

Quart Oil Container Transporting and storing tube oils and chemicals 

Black Plastic Sheeting > 2 Meters Protecting equipment and supplies during storage and 

transportation 

Brush and Broom Cleaning supplies 

Netting Commercial fishing 

Muriatic Acid Container Cleaning pipes 

Propane and Freon Container Providing gas used in appliances and air conditioners 

1-Gallon Oil Container Transporting and storing tube oils and chemicals 

White Quart Bleach Container Transporting and storing bleach 

Paper Milk Container Transporting and storing milk 

1-Gallon White Bleach Container Transporting and storing bleach . 

< 1-Gallon Green Bleach Container Transporting and storing bleach 

4 
3.0 Data Analysis 

Descriptive statistical tests were performed on all survey data collected from February 1994 -

February 1995 (Miller, Baker, Echols, 1995). Statistical tests were performed using data 

provided by the NMFS, monthly shrimping effort data were correlated with the monthly totals of 

each shrimping item . A Spearman Rank Order Correlation was performed to detect an 

association between the total number of shrimping debris items and the effort expended by 

commercial shrimping vessels in a specific area of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Descriptive statistical tests for data collected from March 1995 - March 1996 will not be 

concluded until May 1996 . 

4.0 Results 

From March 1, 1994 to February 28, 1995, 40,677 debris items were collected in the 16-mile 

transect . Thirteen items believed to be associated with the offshore oil and gas industry 

numbered 5,310 (13% of the total) and 14 items from an unknown source totaled 8,761 (22% of 

the total) . Items believed to be associated with the commercial shrimping industry numbered 

26,607 (65% of the total) . 

A total of 12,076 items showed a statistical correlation with the amount of shrimping effort . Of 

the items that correlated with shrimping effort the most abundant were rubber gloves (6,515), 

scoops (1,970) and onion sacks (1,920) (Miller, Baker, and Echols, 1995) . 

5 
From March 1, 1995 to September 30, 1995, 22,733 debris items were collected in the 16-mile 

transect (Table 4) . Thirteen items associated with the offshore oil and gas industry numbered 

2,753 (12% of the total) and 14 items from an unknown source totaled 4,621 (21 % of the total) . 

Items believed to be associated with the commercial shrimping industry numbered 15,359 (67% 

of the total) . 

The most abundant items in the offshore oil and gas category were strip lumber (906), plastic 

straps (876) and five-gallon containers (479). The most abundant items with identifiable 

markings (company names or logos) were hard hats (194) and life jackets (19) . In the 

"unknown source" category the greatest number of items collected were green quart bleach 

bottles (1,581), one-quart oil containers (870) and balloons and ribbons (667). 

Of the items that are considered to be probable shrimping items, a total of 6,675 items were 

collected. Of these items, the most abundant were rubber gloves (3,663), 1 liter oil containers 

(777) and onion sacks (1,230) . 

In the "suspected" shrimping category, 8,684 items were collected . The most abundant were 

one-gallon milk containers (3,753), incandescent light bulbs (1,624) and glass condiment 

bottles (1,090) . 

6 
Table 4: Descriptive Statistics - Marine Debris Items (March 1995 - September 1995.) 

Category I Monthly I 

Average 

Total I 

Number 

Category 

Total 

Offshore Oil & Gas Industry 2,753 

Strip Lumber 129.43 906 

Clear Sheeting > 2m 3.29 23 

Wood Spool 0.71 5 

Wood Pallet 9.71 68 

Write Enable Ring 1 .29 9 

5-Gallon Container 68.43 479 

Hard Hat 27.71 194 

55-Gallon Container 2 .86 20 

Tire 2.29 16 

Plastic Strap 125 .14 876 

Pipe Thread Protector 8.71 61 

Life Jacket 2.71 19 

Styrofoam Buoy 11 .00 77 

Commercial Shrimping Industry 15,359 

Unknown Source 4,621 

Total : 22,733 
4.1 Total Debris Items Collected (March 1, 1994 - September 30,1995) 

From March 1, 1994 to September 30, 1995, 63,410 debris items were collected in the 16-mile 

transect (Table 5) . Thirteen items associated with the offshore oil and gas industry numbered 

8,063 (13% of the total) and 14 items from an unknown source totaled 13,382 (21 % of the 

total) . Items associated with the commercial shrimping industry numbered 41,965 (66% of the 

total) . 

In the offshore oil and gas category, a total of 8,063 items were collected . Of these, the most 

abundant items included strip lumber (3,781), plastic straps (2,042) and five-gallon containers 

(3,781) . 

Of the items that are considered to be probable shrimping items, a total of 18,751 were 

collected. Of these items the most abundant were rubber gloves (10,178), onion sacks (3,150) 

and scoops (2,484) . 

In the "suspected" shrimping category, 23,214 items were collected . The most abundant were 

one-gallon milk containers (8,689), incandescent light bulbs (4,125) and glass condiment 

bottles (3,418) . 

A total of 13,382 items were collected in the "unknown source" category with the greatest 

number of items collected in the following : green quart bleach bottles (4,880), one-quart oil 

containers (2,479), and balloons and ribbons (2,340). 

The percentages of each category did not significantly change between the first 12 months and 

the entire 19 months of survey . The types and amounts of the abundant items in each category 

did not change significantly either . 

8 
Table 5: Descriptive Statistics - Marine Debris Items (March 1, 1994 - September 30, 1995.) 

Category Monthly 

Average 

Total 

Number 

Category 

Total 

Offshore Oil & Gas Industry 8,063 

Strip Lumber 199.00 3781 

Clear Sheeting > 2m 7.53 143 

Wood Spool 0.95 18 

Wood Pallet 9.48 180 

Write Enable Ring 0 .63 12 

5-Gallon Container 46 .74 888 

Hard Hat 22 .84 434 

55-Gallon Container 2 .26 43 

Tire 2 .32 44 

Plastic Strap 107 .47 2042 

Pipe Thread Protector 11 .21 213 

Life Jacket 3.37 64 

Styrofoam Buoy 10.58 201 

Commercial Shrimping Industry 41,965 

Unknown Source 13,382 

Grand Total : 63,410 
4.2 Offshore Oil & Gas Industry 

In the following section, graphs (monthly totals) and photographs are presented for all 13 items 

associated with the offshore oil and gas industry. 

Offshore Oil SL Gas Industry Monthly Totals 

March 1994 - September 1995 

1500 

1000 

a N 

w 

O 

w 

v 

.a 

z soo 

0 

O Offshore Oil & Gas Industry Items 1994 

=Offshore Oil & -Gas Industry Items 1995 

Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept . Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. 

Month 

10 
11 
t ~vF . 

z ., 

yY~ f. ?~ 

12 
.~ ~ 

susnI P a4-'N 

yd: 

:SF 
d 

14 

4.3 Commercial Shrimping Industry 

The following section contains graphs and photographs of the seven items that statistically 

correlated with shrimping effort . Also included are graphs (monthly totals) and pictures of the 

eight items suspected of coming from shrimping vessels. 

Conunercial Shrimping Industry 1Vbnthly Totals 

Marsh 1994 - September 1995 

3000 

2000 

., 

w O 

i. 

1000 

0 

D Shrirrping Industry Items 1994 

- Shrimping Industry Iterris 1995 

Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. 

Month 

16 
w 

2000 

1500 

`2S 1000 

3 z 

500 

0 

Shrimping Effort vs. Rubber Gloves 

1994-1995 

Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec Jan. Feb. 

Math 

i -~a 

zY,' ~ 'fe'nY'~~ 

. ~ ~F . . 800 

O Orion Sacks 1994 

1 Orion Sacks 1995 

600 

$ 400 -------- 

z 

zoo --- ----- 

0 

IvSar. April May June July Aug. Sept . Oct. Nw. 0.c. Jan. Feb. 

Month 

17 
fl u, 

lw , 3 

g 

Shrimping Effort vs. Salt Bags 

1994-1995 

X31 

20 

0 

Mar. April May June July Aug . Sept. Oct. Nw. Dec . Jan . Feb. 

Month 

Shrimping Effort vs. Wood Discs 

1994-1995 

O Wood Discs 1994 

101 Wood Disc 1995 

IS 

b 

`ZS 10 

9 

z 

s 

Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nw. Dec . )an . Feb. 

Month 

18 
10 

J ., 

x . ~l 

600 

1 

400 

b 

200 

0 

Shrimping Effort vs. Scoops 

1994-1995 

D Scoops 1994 

1 Scoops 1995 

Mar. April May lone July Aug. Sept . Oct. Nov. Dec . Jan. Feb. 

Marsh 

Shrimping Effort vs. One Liter Oil Containers 

1994-1995 

300 

O Ore Liter Oil Containers 1994 

M Ore Liter Oil Containers 1995 

~O 200 

b 

5 

100 

0 

Mar. April May J- July Aug. Sept. Oct . Nw. Dec. /an . Feb. 

M«ith 

19 
Shrimping Effort vs. 6 Gallon Sodium Metabisulfite 

19va - ins 

4 

O 6 Gallon Sodium Metabisulfice 1994 

M 6 Cnllon Sodium Metabisulfice 1995 

3 

2 

0 

Mar. April nay June Jwy Aug. Sept . Oct. rkbv. Dm Jan. Feb. 

Month 

20 
t h 

s` 

FlOLIIESOCIlt Light BWbs 

1994-MK 

Ml(1 

O Ha-r Cioi &lL. 17d4 

fll-r.Ii& &dtn 1995 

p0 __-. . ._-. ...-. _. . .-- . . .-_ . 

uxi 

1 1 1 1 /I IZr-/f71 I I I I l . n I 

titv . ,ya M,y~ b- I,dy A, ia,. ta.-. u.~. I :~. fd~ 

MnUi 

21 
22 

i . 1' ~ . .'~' . 

F° kill", 
*.P 

m ~y . . . 

..~°: . 

23 
4.4 Items from an Unknown Source 

In the following section, graphs (monthly totals) and photographs are presented for all 14 items 

whose source is unknown. 

Items from an Unknown Source Monthly Totals 

March 1994 - September 1995 

2000 

O Unknown Items 1994 

1500 

v 

.~ 

w 

1000 

v 

p 

z 

soo 

0 

Unknown Items 1995 

Mar. April May June July Aug. Sept . Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. 

Month 

24 
U 

N ` S . , T~~ U,i>.1 

N P,L.Yg 

7~1 711< 

~=< `~.,< 

~~7. . . White Bleach Containers 

ira . 1911s 

150 

M vA :ir st~iXUUi- 19% 

t Wlite BIrnhQ~ai~cn 195 

p IM - 

7 

b 

Z ~~ -- - - - --- 

Il~ia~~ll' nw, ,ymi nay l ..r I~~iy A, sin. n,. M, 11, I, .. ia, 

Mnah 

c.. 

Y`~ 

~ . 

~cf. ~~f 

25 
Balloons and Ribbons 

1994- 1995 

SIMI 

i Ballcxxu a,il Ritbcks IY94 

1 Ballws ud Riiina 1995 

MX) _ _ 

~xi 

- - ---

b 

t~ri - ----- -- - --- IM ; 1]w ~ r~ I 1-I~I 1 nw. :Nm1 Nt,.. ... .. . ..,. A,,; 

nanm 

., 

Quart Oil Containers 

400 

~ Q~ a cW,w - iv9t 

1 Qwt CM Gnain~rs I 995 

300 

'flhh zap 

Z 

~~ CC~11-~~ 1 . .~1 Mkc 'N l sky I"., I'd, Aig Y1,~ . Qt Nv. Itc Ian. Pdi 

h1aN1i 

26 
I~ s 

r. 

Propane Containers 

i11-a . 1995 

iz 

1 P.4,weGxiai- lVk1 

lu 1 P.1-Gxrai,m INNS 

7 

-._-

G 

nw~. ~y,~i ns~~~ b- ~ l,dy n, s1 .. (XI. N, ~. iX, Iw . Id, 

ohms, 

27 
White Quart. Bleach Containers 

19'A . 1915 

60 

t WfiteQwt BkadiGntm,us i 

1 Wliir Qwt HI -J~ CcntAners 199 

40 

D 

0 

Akc iYiril Ahy b-r Inly hig tin. U-1 . Nn . 11 .: /nn . fd~ 

hYiith 

Paper Nfilk Containers 

era-iris 

IINI 

~ PaFrr hflk G"-i-1) 1)M 

~ Pa[- Mlk Gntvrvs 11,15 

ISO --- ---- ----- -- ------

`d 

., i `L ,r.. . . . . 

< 1 Gallon Green Bleach Containers 

I1,XA _IWs 

~ < 1 GdIcmGasiBIraf~Cortaimrs 1995 laq 

ppp NID _ . 

9 

'tJ GIXI 

MMI --

LIX' 

Af.r. ;vml Nt, I~nt~ b~ly :`.iq Spa . (1Y . Nv. I1r . /an . fd . 

Ivknlh 

28 
A 

Black Plastic Sheeting > 2 Meters 

199a .i99s 

12 ~shkn~rsh~i,B>znt,- 1994 

~ Blxic PlasticSlexth > 2 Mx- . 1915 

111 --

ppp y -._ .-.. 

7 

,a o 

1 

. . I / t . / 1 . t / / / t 

NW, iymil Ni" bm. I.ilv A, 6ja . Qt N v . 11c. Iu, Id, 

hliilfl 

29 
5.0 Discussion 

Environmental factors directly influence the amount of daily debris accumulation . Researchers 

unfamiliar with these daily influences and resulting variability may unknowingly misinterpret 

data results . PINS research indicates that mathematical extrapolation of data from infrequent 

surveys are inaccurate . Additionally, PINS research indicates that debris collected from the 

backshore area of the beach is not post-MARPOL Annex V garbage . Data collected from the 

backshore when combined with tidal debris data is inaccurate and does not represent the true 

accumulation rate . 

Marine debris point source research at Padre Island National Seashore was conducted daily (7 

days/week) for 19 months to increase data accuracy on debris accumulation and composition. 

Research was conducted on 16 miles of shoreline to guarantee that the survey area was large 

enough to understand daily debris accumulation . Quality control procedures were 

implemented on a frequent basis to ensure data collection and reporting accuracy . 

Similar research studies should be conducted in other areas around the United States to 

identify additional point sources. To solve the marine debris problem, point sources must be 

identified . Unless they are, actions implemented to reduce the amount of garbage being 

dumped into our oceans is ineffective. 

Results from our research indicate that point source violators can be identified . We have 

proven the shrimping industry is directly responsible for 30 percent of garbage that washes 

into the PINS survey area. They are suspected of contributing an additional 35 percent. We 

have also shown that the offshore oil and gas industry is suspected of contributing 13 percent 

of the garbage that accumulated in the PINS survey area. Taken together, over 70 percent of 

most items that wash ashore are contributed by identifiable point sources. Through education 

and regulatory enforcement we can substantially decrease the amount of garbage generated 

by these point sources, thus resulting in a cleaner Gulf of Mexico. 

30 
6.0 Bibliography 

Miller, John E., Sean W. Baker, and Darrell L. Echols . 1995. Marine Debris Point Source 

Investigation, 1994 - 1995, Padre Island National Seashore. U.S. Dept. of the Interior, 

National Park Service, Padre Island National Seashore, TX. 

31 
QS~ENT F ly~ The Department of the Interior Mission ~P 'y~ 

a - p As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility 

a for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering 

sound use of our land and water resources ; protecting our fish, wildlife, and biological diversity; 

4 9 

preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places; and 

RCH 3 ~ providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation . The Department assesses our 

energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests 

of all our people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The 

Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for 

people who live in island territories under U.S . administration . 

The Minerals Management Service Mission 

~^ °~ ~,e 

As a bureau of the Department of the Interior , the Minerals Management Service's (MMS) primary 

responsibilities are to manage the mineral resources located on the Nation ' s Outer Continental 

Shelf (OCS), collect revenue from the Federal OCS and onshore Federal and Indian lands, and 

s ~ distribute those revenues . 

Moreover, in working to meet its responsibilities, the Offshore Minerals Management Program 

administers the OCS competitive leasing program and oversees the safe and environmentally 

sound exploration and production of our Nation's offshore natural gas, oil and other mineral 

resources . The MMS Royalty Management Program meets its responsibilities by ensuring the 

efficient, timely and accurate collection and disbursement of revenue from mineral leasing and 

production due to Indian tribes and allottees, States and the U.S . Treasury . 

The MMS strives to fulfill its responsibilities through the general guiding principles of : (1) being 

responsive to the public's concerns and interests by maintaining a dialogue with all potentially 

affected parties and (2) carrying out its programs with an emphasis on working to enhance the 

quality of life for all Americans by lending MMS assistance and expertise to economic 

development and environmental protection .