The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to present the 2023 Accomplishments Report, outlining our continued efforts to address marine debris through our program pillars - prevention, removal, research, monitoring and detection, response, and coordination.
This report is a snapshot of the work of the Marine Debris Program and our partners throughout the fiscal year. Marine debris continues to present challenges for wildlife, habitats, and people across the United States as well as around the world. We are proud to be playing a leading role on the issue of marine debris and a part of the community that is working towards solutions.
In fiscal year 2023, we furthered our goals and expanded our impact across the United States and territories. Notably, the NOAA Marine Debris Program awarded over $69 million to 14 projects around the country to remove marine debris through funding provided under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and with leveraged funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. We supported an additional marine debris removal project in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument through a five-year, $5.8 million award through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding. Our team and partners worked with local leaders to prevent marine debris in communities, remove marine debris caused by natural disasters, research the impact of microplastics on fish, expanded the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project toolbox, developed storm preparedness materials, and coordinated education and outreach efforts across the nation. We continually worked towards global, national, and regional solutions to the issue of marine debris. We also continued our commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility.
These achievements would not be possible without our many hard-working and dedicated partners, including community-based organizations, academia, industry, tribes, and government agencies. The achievements in this report are examples of the important action already taken to reduce the impacts of marine debris on our ocean and coasts and we are proud to continue these efforts into the future with the critical support of our staff, partners, and volunteers.
To read more about the accomplishments from the last fiscal year, view the full report.