NOAA Marine Debris Program e-Newsletter | November 2018

November 2018

A plastic beverage bottle in the Anacostia River in Washington, DC (Photo: NOAA)

In This Issue

SOS Act Signed

2018 Accomplishments Report

Art Contest Now Open

The Spooky Truth About Ghost Fishing

Make Your Own Halloween Costume

Plastic Hiding in Your Leaves

Quick Links

Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
MDMAP Toolbox
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse

Marine Debris Tracker Mobile Application

Tracker App Logo

Make a difference by using the Marine Debris Tracker app to record debris items you find.

2019 Calendar Now Available

Download the 2019 Marine Debris Calendar on our website now! (Cover art by art contest winner Emma M., Grade 6, Pennsylvania)

Download the 2019 Marine Debris Calendar on our website now! (Cover art by art contest winner Emma M., Grade 6, Pennsylvania).


The NOAA Marine Debris Program is excited to announce that our 2019 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest. 

Learn More

Upcoming Cleanups

November 3
I Love a Clean San Diego
Alpine Community Center
Alpine, CA

November 3
Sun of a Beach
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park 
Dania Beach, FL

November 3
Ocean Hour
Bob Sikes Bridge
Pensacola Beach, FL

November 3
Surfrider Kauai
Mahaulepu Beach
Koloa, Kauai, HI

November 3
Riverside Park Conservancy
Riverside Park South
Manhattan, NY

November 3
Beach Drive Buccaneers
Seaside Beach
Seaside, OR

November 3
Clean Ocean Access
Taylor Lane
Little Compton, RI

November 4
Keep Mansfield Beautiful
Mansfield, MA

November 4
Save the Bay
Pawtuxet Oxboes Park 
Cranston, RI

November 10
Save Our Shores
Carmel River State Beach
Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

November 10
Fort Lauderdale Beach Sweep
The Hub
Fort Lauderdale, FL

November 10
Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii
Ka'Ehu Beach
Wailuku, Maui, HI

November 10
Ocean City Cool
Ocean City, MD

November 10
Blue Ocean Society
Jenness State Beach
Rye, NH

November 10
Clean Ocean Access
Weaver Cove
Portsmouth, RI

November 12
City and County of Honolulu
Makiki District Park
Honolulu, O'ahu, HI

November 13
808 Cleanups
Ka'iwi Scenic Shoreline
Honolulu, O'ahu, HI

November 17
Heal the Bay
Hermosa Beach
Hermosa Beach, CA

November 17
Sea to Shore Alliance
Boynton Inlet
Boynton Beach, FL

November 17
Ocean Hour
William Bartram Memorial Park
Pensacola, FL

November 17
NYC Parks
Cobble Hill Park
Brooklyn, NY

November 18
Surfrider San Francisco
Ocean Beach
San Francisco, CA

November 23
Surfrider Central Long Island
Long Island, NY

November 24
Pacific Beach Coalition
Pillar Point
Half Moon Bay, CA

November 24
Hui O Ho’ohonua
Kapapapuhi Point Park
Ewa Beach, O'ahu, HI

November 24
NW Portland Hostel
Portland, OR

November 25
Sharkastics
Kukona Place
Wailuku, Maui, HI

November 28
Puget Soundkeeper
Northwest Outdoor Center
Seattle, WA

December 1
New Seasons Market
Slabtown
Portland, OR

December 1
Clean Ocean Access
Hull Cove
Jamestown, RI


 

Can't make it to a listed cleanup? Organize your own and use the Marine Debris Tracker!

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Website & Blog

SOS Act Signed!

SOS Act

We are excited to share that the Save Our Seas Act was signed into law on October 11, 2018. The Act amends and reauthorizes the NOAA Marine Debris Program until 2022!


2018 Accomplishments Report

2018 Accomplishments Report Cover

Once a year, we like to take a moment to reflect on our efforts to investigate and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris and to think about how far we’ve come. With the help of many partners, we have been able to accomplish a great deal. We are proud to present our 2018 Accomplishments Report, which highlights some of our major achievements over the past year.

Learn More


Art Contest Now Open!

Emily B., Grade 8, Pennsylvania

Winning entry to the "Keep The Sea Free of Debris" art contest by Emily B., Grade 8, Pennsylvania.


Break out the art supplies, because we need YOUR help to raise awareness about marine debris. This year’s NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest is officially open, and students in grades K-8 from all U.S states and territories can submit their artwork now through November 30th.

Learn More


The Spooky Truth About Ghost Fishing

A giant net lurks behind a diver.

This lurking net weighs close to 1.5 tons! (Photo: NOAA)

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.   

Learn More


MDP FY19 Funding Opportunity: Research

Two divers giving thumbs up.

Researchers get ready to collect mussels to be analyzed for contaminants or microplastics. (Photo: NOAA)

The NOAA Marine Debris Research Federal Funding Opportunity is open until December 14, 2018. Projects awarded through this grant competition will explore the ecological risk associated with marine debris, determine debris exposure levels, examine the fate and transport of marine debris in nearshore, coastal environments, and/or quantify habitat impacts resulting from marine debris. Projects may address one or more of these research priorities and should be original, hypothesis-driven projects that have not previously been addressed to scientific standards. Funding of up to $1,500,000 is expected to be available; typical awards will range from $150,000 - $250,000. For more information, please visit Grants.gov. Resources for interested applicants can be found on the Marine Debris Program website.


Plastic Hiding in Your Leaves

Plastic in your leaves

Is there plastic hiding in your fall leaves? (Photo:NOAA)


It’s fall! For those of us in the temperate parts of the country, this means temperatures are getting cooler and the leaves are changing color. Those beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves are also starting to fall, covering our yards and sidewalks, and they could also be transporting litter and debris!

Learn More