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Aug 9, 2017 · The NOAA Marine Debris Program has many efforts underway to prevent and remove marine debris in order to reduce these harmful effects, coordinating with partners on local solutions to this global issue. Many other organizations are stepping up to do their part to address debris, from reducing their distribution of unnecessary single-use plastics to involving the community in caring for their ...
- E-Newsletter
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine...
- Current Efforts
Since 2006, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has led national...
- Multimedia
Check out a sampling of multimedia resources from the NOAA...
- Resources
Take a dive into the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s suite of...
- Response
United States Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: A New...
- Balloons
By: Nir Barnea, Pacific Northwest Regional Coordinator, and...
- Holiday
This holiday season, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has...
- Monitoring
Now Available: An Educator’s Guide to NOAA’s Marine Debris...
- E-Newsletter
- Coral Reefs
- Mangroves
- Salt Marshes
- Seagrass Beds
- Sandy Beaches
- Oyster Reefs
- Deep Water Habitat
Coral reefsare believed to have the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem on the planet. Though they’re often mistaken for rocks, corals are animals whose skeletons form the foundation of a reef. These habitats support vibrant communities of plants, fish, and other organisms. Reefs can be impacted by marine debris that can smother, crush, or break ...
Mangrovesare trees that provide protection and stabilization to coastlines and enrich coastal waters. They are habitats commonly found in tropical areas that form dense forests that both animals that live on land and aquatic wildlife depend on. Marine debris is a serious threat for these habitats, as trash, derelict fishing gear, and abandoned and ...
Salt marshesare coastal wetlands made of grasses and shrubs that are flooded and drained by salt water brought in by the tides. These areas easily trap marine debris, which tends to collect during high tide when the salt marsh is mostly covered with water and is left behind during low tide when the water drains out. Debris may be repeatedly swept a...
Seagrassesare rooted, flowering marine plants that grow on the seafloor completely underwater. Worldwide, seagrasses form broad meadows which are main features along shallow-water coastal marine environments. Although they cover only 0.1% of the world’s seafloor, seagrasses produce more oxygen and capture more carbon than rainforests. Seagrass beds...
Many kinds of wildlife call sandy beaches home, from tiny microorganisms living between sand grains to nesting birds and turtles. Plastic and other marine debris can be serious hazards for these sensitive areas, even changing the physical properties of the beach itself. Plastic marine debris on beaches causes the sand to warm more slowly, compared ...
Oyster reefsare important features of estuarine areas, where salt and freshwater mix. Oysters are crucial shellfish species that feed by filtering huge amounts of water each day, improving water quality along the way. As they grow, oysters also build up rock-like reefs with their shells, which become important habitats and provide critical protecti...
Marine debris can be found in even the deepest parts of our ocean and Great Lakes. Deep water habitats are mainly made of sand, silt, or mud. Fishing nets can move these fine sediments and bury or destroy plants and animals. They can also create barriers that make it difficult for animals to return to their habitat. Plasticmarine debris can smother...
Aug 9, 2017 · The NOAA Marine Debris Program has many efforts underway to prevent and remove marine debris in order to reduce these harmful effects, coordinating with partners on local solutions to this global issue. Many other organizations are stepping up to do their part to address debris, from reducing their distribution of unnecessary single-use plastics to involving the community in caring for their ...
Mar 1, 2024 · Many marine debris items can also impact wildlife through ingestion. When an animal swallows debris, it can block their stomach, puncture the inside of their bodies with sharp edges, and even create a false sense of being full. This can make the animal ill or cause it to starve. Animals, such as turtles, may mistake balloons or plastic bags for ...
Animals may become tangled up in marine debris and unable to free themselves. This can affect the animal in a variety of ways, ranging from mild discomfort to seriously impacting the animal’s ability to survive. Entangled animals may get abrasions from the debris, resulting in a dangerous infection. If movement is restricted, animals may not ...
4 days ago · Marine debris produces a wide variety of environmental, economic, safety, health, and cultural impacts and is rapidly achieving recognition as a key anthropogenic threat to global oceanic ecosystems. A central theme of research on habitat degradation via marine debris is determining the impact of specific types of debris (abandoned or derelict fishing gear and plastics in particular) on ...
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NOAA Ocean Podcast: Episode 78. Marine debris is a large and global problem. Plastics, metals, rubber, fishing gear, and other lost and discarded items enter our ocean, Great Lakes, waterways, and coastal areas every day. This challenging problem can cause negative impacts to wildlife, the environment, and the economy.