The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce the launch of the Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project Nationwide Survey, conducted in partnership with 1stMission LLC, and made possible with funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This survey, the first conducted by NOAA at this scale, will establish a scientifically valid assessment of marine debris found on U.S. shorelines, including the continental United States, Caribbean, Alaska, Pacific Islands, and Great Lakes, as well as a longer-term vision for documenting trends. This project represents an investment of over $3.3 million in federal funding for marine debris assessment, and continues the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s commitment to make tangible, beneficial impacts to coastal, marine, and shoreline habitats and communities across the nation. 

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce that our 2025 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! Our annual art contest aims to get students thinking about how marine debris impacts our ocean and Great Lakes, and what they can do to help. This year’s calendar features artwork from 13 students in kindergarten through eighth grade from eight states and two U.S. territories, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest. Keep your eye on our blog and website for information on the next contest, which opens October 15, 2024.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to release the “Guam Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide” (Guide). This Guide aims to improve preparedness for responding to marine debris after typhoons and other disasters in the territory, such as Typhoon Mawar, which impacted the island in 2023.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to support Ocean Conservancy's efforts to bring people together around the globe for this annual cleanup event. Every year, this international effort encourages hundreds of thousands of volunteers to act locally and clean up debris in their communities. Wherever you are, whoever you’re with, you can contribute to this global event and Sea The Change—even if you’re cleaning up your local neighborhood or park! Your local cleanup efforts will contribute to something bigger as people around the world remove trash, collect data, and make their mark on the problem.

Following a highly competitive review process, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce 13 projects recommended for funding under our NOAA Marine Debris Removal and Interception Technologies grant awards for Fiscal Year 2024. These projects represent an investment in over $23 million for marine debris removal with funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

We are pleased to announce with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Sea Grant seven recommended marine debris removal projects under the 2024 Community Marine Debris Removal Grant Program. These projects represent an investment of $1.2 million for marine debris removal with funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. 

Thanks to funding from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Ocean Conservancy and Urban Ocean partners, The Circular Initiative and Resilient City Network, provided a unique opportunity for representatives from private companies to connect and explore collaborations and meet others in the sustainability industry who are ready to speed up the transition away from single-use plastics. The Urban Ocean program is now energized and ready to keep the momentum going to reduce plastic pollution in cities across the globe! Read more about the projects the Summit attendees are advancing to reduce plastic pollution and address gaps in their waste management systems.

Back to school season is here! There can be a lot of waste associated with back to school shopping in the form of single-use plastic and packaging materials that can ultimately end up in our ocean and Great Lakes. As you prepare your classroom and check off your back to school shopping list, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has resources for both students and educators to prepare for the school year ahead. Our online resources are a zero waste must-have for this back to school season!