Marine debris is an everyday problem.

When trash and other waste material is not recycled or 

properly thrown away it can enter our streams and oceans. 

The tsunami debris is not the 

only debris in the ocean.

34%

Recycling 

rate in 2010.

What happened to the debris?

How fast is the debris moving?

Marine Debris

70%likely sank right away.

Floating Dock

Newport, OR

June, 2012

Soccer Ball

Middleton Island, AK

April, 2012

Harley Davidson Motorcycle

in a Container

Graham Island, BC, Canada

April, 2012

Higher oating debris arrived on 

U.S. shores during the winter of 

2011-2012. Reported items include 

plastics, Styrofoam, sports balls, 

oating docks, vessels, and even a 

motorcycle in a container.

30%likely dispersed, but there is no estimate of how much is still oating. Over time, debris can break apart and sink at sea.

Small Ski

North Pacic Ocean

October, 2012

Japan Tsunami 

In March 2011, a massive earthquake 

struck o the coast of Japan, creating 

a devastating tsunami that inundated 

217 square miles of coastline. The 

combined disasters killed nearly

16,000 people and destroyed much of 

the Sendai coast.

When the tsunami wave retreated, it 

dragged rubble from buildings, 

people’s belongings, and 

infrastructure into the ocean. 

Consumer debris, lumber, buoys, 

un-moored vessels, and even piers 

washed away. The Government of 

Japan estimated that the tsunami 

swept about 5 million tons of debris 

into the ocean.

The oating debris scattered across 

the wide North Pacic, carried 

eastward by winds and currents. Some 

of that debris has now reached U.S. 

shores, serving as a reminder that 

marine debris, even from natural 

disasters, truly is a global problem.

NOAA Marine Debris Program

The NOAA Marine Debris Program 

leads national and international 

eorts to research, prevent, and 

reduce the impacts of marine debris.

marinedebris.noaa.gov/

Some types of debris, especially plastics, never really go away. Rather, debris breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. 

Large currents that make up the North Pacic Subtropical Gyre move 

clockwise, often taking marine debris on a circular ride around the Pacic. 

Debris that does not make landfall could get caught in these currents or 

enter “garbage patches,” which are areas where debris tends to 

accumulate. Eventually, debris from the tsunami will blend in with 

existing marine debris.

What has been found?

Where could the debris go in the future?

Does existing marine debris and debris from the Japan Tsunami degrade in the ocean?

13%

Percent of plastic 

containers 

recycled in 2010.

250 million tons

Amount of trash 

Americans 

generated in 2010.

100s to 1,000s 

of years

Length of time 

plastics can persist 

in the environment.

SLOW

MEDIUM FAST

Items oating 

lower in the water 

move slower such 

as shing nets and 

lumber.

Items with equal 

area oating 

above and below 

water move at a 

medium speed 

such as a half-full 

gas tank.

Items oating 

higher in the water 

move faster such as 

upright vessels, 

Styrofoam, and 

buoys.

Addressing Public Concerns

Debris Handling Guidelines

Interagency Collaboration

It is highly unlikely that any human remains from the 

2011disaster will appear on U.S. shores. If you see 

something concerning, notify your local ocials.

Modeling

A NOAA modeling eort helps responders 

understand where the debris may be located today, 

because it simulates how winds and currents may 

have moved items through the Pacic Ocean. The 

model, which is a "hindcast," not a "forecast," shows 

that some fast-moving debris may have already 

reached U.S. shores. Winds and ocean currents 

constantly change, making it dicult to forecast the 

remaining debris’ movement far in advance.

NOAA is leading eorts with federal, state, and local 

partners to coordinate information, collect data, 

assess the debris, and reduce possible impacts to our 

natural resources and coastal communities. 

Collaborative response eorts are underway in all 

impacted states.

It is highly unlikely that any debris holds harmful 

levels of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear 

emergency. Some items have been tested in 

impacted states, and all readings were normal.

Experts think it is unlikely that tsunami debris will 

carry invasive species, unless an item (such as a 

dock) was in the water long before the disaster. 

Debris with marine life attached should be reported 

immediately to reduce the risk.

Use common sense and follow general safety 

guidelines. If you don't know what an item is, don't 

touch it. If safe and practical, litter and other typical 

marine debris items, such as aluminum cans and 

plastic bottles, can be removed or recycled. If the 

item is large, hazardous, or has marine life attached, 

don’t touch it. Call appropriate authorities. Tsunami 

debris can be reported to DisasterDebris@noaa.gov.