NOAA Marine Debris Program e-Newsletter | November 2021

Artwork by Cameron Y. (Grade 3, Hawaii) of squids holding stop signs and marine debris.

Artwork by Cameron Y. (Grade 3, Hawai'i), a past winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

In This Issue

Marine Debris Art Contest

Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan Accomplishments Report

New Jersey Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide 
National Native American Heritage Month

Washington Marine Debris Action Plan

Quick Links

Marine Debris Website
Marine Debris Blog
MDMAP Toolbox
ADV InfoHub
Clearinghouse

2022 Marine Debris Calendar Available Online

Student artwork features sea creatures swimming through a coral reef away from a derelict net, accompanied by a dolphin filled with marine debris.

We are proud to announce that our 2022 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download! This year’s calendar features artwork from thirteen 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.

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Marine Debris Tracker Mobile Application

Marine Debris Tracker App

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

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Website & Blog

Now Open: The Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest!

Artwork by Jennie C. (Grade 8, Massachusetts) of a child on the beach helping a sea turtle tangled in a net.

Artwork by Jennie C. (Grade 8, Massachusetts), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

Are you a student or teacher who’s passionate about marine debris? Then get your art supplies ready, because this year’s NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest is officially open! Students in grades K-8 from the United States and U.S. territories can submit their artwork now through December 10th. Winning artwork will be featured in our 2023 Marine Debris Calendar!

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The Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan 2010-2020 Accomplishments Report is Now Available!

The cover of the 2010-2020 Hawai'i Marine Debris Action Plan Accomplishments Report.

Check out the report to learn about the history and accomplishments of the Hawai'i Marine Debris Action Plan community over the last ten years (Credit: NOAA).

The Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan (Action Plan) was the first community-based marine debris action plan in the nation facilitated by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. Established in 2010 and updated four times, it is a comprehensive framework for strategic action to reduce the ecological, health and safety, and economic impacts of marine debris in Hawai‘i by 2020. This report provides a history of the Action Plan and celebrates the accomplishments of the community. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud of the Hawai'i Marine Debris Action Plan community and to present the 2010-2020 Accomplishments Report.

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New Jersey Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: A New Comprehensive Guide for the State

Cover of the New Jersey Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide.

The New Jersey Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide serves as a complete reference for marine debris response in the state (Credit: NOAA).

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to release the New Jersey Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: Comprehensive Guidance Document (Guide). The Guide is a product of collaboration among state and federal agencies and will improve preparedness for response and recovery operations following any natural disaster or event that generates large amounts of marine debris in New Jersey.

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Partnering with Native Communities to Take On Marine Debris

A debris removal team sorts through the collected debris.

A cleanup crew sorts debris on St. Paul Island in 2019 (Credit: Aleut Community of St. Paul Island).

In celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, the NOAA Marine Debris Program is highlighting examples of collaboration with native communities, nations, and peoples.

Indigenous communities have a deep understanding of and relationship with the natural environment, which has fostered expert and nuanced traditional ecological knowledge, and shaped cultural practices and identity. NOAA recognizes the importance of indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge for understanding the environment, adapting to environmental change, and improving the health of environments that we all depend on. The Marine Debris Program is proud to work with indigenous communities in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to understand and reduce the impacts of marine debris through projects that prevent and remove marine debris.

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2021 Washington Marine Debris Action Plan Released

Derelict crab pot fishing gear recovered from the water.

Derelict fishing gear, such as crab traps, are an issue in many of Washington State's waterways (Credit: Makah Tribe).

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to share the 2021 Washington Marine Debris Action Plan. This document is the result of a collaborative effort between the Marine Debris Program and federal and state governments, tribes, nongovernmental organizations, industry, and academia, and represents a partner-led effort to guide marine debris actions in Washington State for the next two years.

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