N AT I O N A L O C E A N I C A N D

AT M O S P H E R I C A D M I N I S T R AT I O N

Understanding and

Preventing Marine Debris

Working Toward Solutions

The only way to truly manage the

marine debris pollution issue is through

prevention – changing the behaviors

that cause marine debris to enter the

environment.

Consequently, multiple organizations

and local, regional and state agencies

are collaborating on outreach projects

designed to bring awareness to and

alleviate the problem of marine debris.

Several efforts are focusing on

monitoring the behaviors and activities

that result in marine debris and developing

prevention strategies that educate people on

marine debris issues, their role in the problem

and how to prevent it. For more information

on programs that are working to foster

change, visit www.marinedebris.noaa.gov.

What You Can Do

Here are some steps that you can take to

help solve the marine debris problem:

• Reduce, reuse, recycle. Choose reusable

items and use fewer disposable ones.

• Retain all pieces of fishing line, net or

other litter for proper disposal in trash

containers.

• Keep streets, sidewalks, parking lots and

storm drains free of trash – they empty

into our oceans.

• Stow all trash on your boat for proper

disposal on land. At the beach, park or

playground, dispose of all trash in the

proper receptacles or take your trash

home with you. Pick up any debris you

see while out.

• Serve as an example to others. Get

involved in cleanups in your area and

encourage others to help keep the

beaches and oceans clean.

www.marinedebris.noaa.gov

Marine Debris
What Is Marine Debris?

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration defines marine debris as

any man­made object discarded, disposed

of or abandoned that enters the coastal

or marine environment.

Where Does It Come From?

While there are many types of debris, it all

shares a common origin – people. People’s

mishandling of waste materials and a host

of other items constitutes the bulk of

the marine debris problem. Researchers

traditionally classify marine debris as

coming from land­ or ocean/waterwaybased sources.

Sources of land­based debris include:

•	 Inappropriate disposal of trash from

many land­based activities, including

picnicking, beachgoing, fishing and

waterside sporting events;

•	 Debris items from lawns, parking lots,

streets, and storm drains being blown,

swept or washed out to sea;

•	 Inappropriate handling of packaging

materials;

•	 Inadvertent or intentional release of waste

from shore­based solid waste disposal and

waste processing facilities; and

•	 Sewage overflows.

Sources of ocean/waterway­based

debris include:

•	 Abandoning fishing gear, including line,

nets, ropes, bait boxes, fish tags and trawl

floats;

•	 Intentional or inadvertent discharge of

trash, galley waste and boating materials,

including oil lube bottles, engine cleaning

and maintenance products; and

•	 Inappropriate handling of undersea

exploration and oil and gas extraction

items, including hard hats, sheeting and

tarps, computer equipment and survey

materials.

Impacts of Marine Debris

In addition to being unsightly, marine

debris poses significant threats to ocean

ecosystems, wildlife and human health

and safety.

Effects on ocean ecosystems

•	 Abandoned nets, plastic tarps, fishing

gear and other debris can smother and

crush sensitive ecosystems and their

bottom­dwelling species.

Effects on marine wildlife

•	 Fishing line, nets, rope and other debris

can entangle, maim and even drown

many wildlife species. Some debris

looks like food to many animals. Once

ingested, these materials can cause

starvation and/or choking.

Effects on people

•	 Medical and personal hygiene debris

can enter waterways when sewer

systems fail or overflow. These items

often contain harmful bacteria and

pathogens.

•	 Syringes, broken glass and other

hazardous items pose obvious dangers

to bare­footed beachgoers.

•	 Grocery and trash bags, fishing line,

nets, rope and other debris can wrap

around boat propellers and clog

seawater intakes, causing costly

damage and becoming a safety hazard.