This time of year, many of us gather around to give thanks for our family, friends, and delicious food, but we should give our thanks to the ocean and Great Lakes as well. After all, they give us so much.

With financial support from NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, coastal states and territories impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria received $17.2M in disaster relief funding to assess, removal, and dispose of hurricane related marine debris.

How do you pull an entire space shuttle’s weight in marine debris out of one of the most remote parts of the ocean? The answer is teamwork. Last week, on October 29th, a mission ended to remove debris, mostly lost fishing nets, from the uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. These lost nets are a huge entanglement risk to marine life and damage critical habitat. The three part mission involved two ships, five NOAA offices, and many more! Learn more about their journey and how they worked together to remove over 82 tons of debris from the these culturally and ecologically significant islands. 

Aquaculture, or the farming of aquatic animals, is becoming more and more popular along the coasts of the United States. As the demand for seafood rises around the world, aquaculture can provide a sustainable way to meet that demand. As this industry grows, new gear, technology and techniques are being developed. This makes it the perfect time to help farmers understand how to not only grow a good crop, but also to share best practices to prevent marine debris.

Ghost fishing. That phrase makes you think about a spectral figure sitting on the banks of a river with a glowing fishing pole. Or perhaps you imagine a team of paranormal investigators trying to lure a ghost out into the open. The truth is not so supernatural, but just as scary.   

Tomorrow is Make a Difference Day! Ocean litter is a big problem, but the good thing about it is we can all make a difference. A vast majority of marine debris in the global ocean is from land-based sources and activities, which means that we can stop it right here where we live. You can be part of the solution. Tomorrow, see what you can do to make a difference in the amount of trash entering the ocean and Great Lakes.

Halloween is only a week away! If you don’t already have your costume planned out, there’s still time to make your own. By using materials destined for the trash can, you can create a unique costume and reduce waste at the same time. Take a look around your house and see what can be repurposed for some halloween fun.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to present our 2018 Accomplishments Report, which highlights some of our major achievements over the past year.