• Who We Are
• Where We Work
• Issues
• Fish & Wildlife
• Take Action
• Support Us
• News Room

National Marine Debris Monitoring Program

Released: Landmark 5 Year Research Project to Help Clean Up our Ocean

November 2, 2007

Never before in the United States have conservationists, scientists, and policy-makers had a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the types and sources of debris that are impacting our coastal areas. Ocean Conservancy released key findings from the National Marine Debris Monitoring Program, a five-year national study of trash in the ocean, also known as "marine debris". Ocean Conservancy's research was conducted under the direction of marine debris expert Seba Sheavly from 2001 to 2006 with the goal of setting a nationwide scientific baseline of the marine debris problem in the U.S. The study, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA), was conducted by 600 volunteers who monitored debris in 21 coastal states, islands and territories. In conjunction with the release of the report, First Lady Laura Bush is holding an event on marine debris and Ocean Conservancy President Vikki Spruill will be participating with her to discuss solutions to this growing problem.

This study is the first significant evaluation of the marine debris problem faced in the U.S. and will help federal and state agencies, as well as local communities better understand where trash in the ocean is coming from and it will assist in developing solutions for preventing this serious problem. Marine debris not only kills turtles, fish, birds and other wildlife through ingestion and entanglement, but it also costs coastal communities through removal, lost revenue from tourism and reductions in property values. Results from the study indicate that marine debris continues to plague the United States, and that certain regions face larger debris problems than others.

"This milestone research shows us that trash comes from a number of activities in the ocean and on land. Trash in our ocean doesn't fall from the sky, it falls from our hands and it can be prevented," said Laura Capps, Senior Vice President for Communications and Outreach at Ocean Conservancy. "Simple steps like properly disposing of trash, reusing packaging, and removing discarded fishing gear from the water makes a significant positive impact on the health of the ocean and its wildlife. Regardless of where we live, we all can play a part in keeping our beaches clean and our ocean healthy."

"Marine debris threatens the health and beauty of America's coasts and waterways," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA's assistant administrator for water. "This scientific report is a giant step to advance ocean stewardship, locally and globally. It will help raise public awareness to fight a pervasive and preventable problem, and measure progress towards litter-free seas and cleaner coasts."

Overall findings:

General-source marine debris trash that comes from both ocean- and land-based activities increased across the United States by more than 5 percent each year.

Marine debris continues to be a national problem, with Hawaii being the only location to demonstrate a significant decrease in all debris.

Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), now in its 22nd year, is the world's largest single-day volunteer effort to improve the health of the ocean and its wildlife. Each year nearly a half a million volunteers around the world spend a few hours removing trash and debris from beaches, lakes, rivers and other waterways and record what they find. The data volunteers collect is then analyzed by Ocean Conservancy staff, and used to help find solutions for reducing marine debris. While participation in events such as the Cleanup are important opportunities to help protect the ocean, Ocean Conservancy hopes that behavior changes year round will help reduce the threat of marine debris prevention is the best solution.

Visit www.oceanconservancy.org/contactus for regional office addresses and email information.

Printed on , © Copyright 2009 Ocean Conservancy

1300 19th Street, NW,
8th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
800.519.1541
202.429.5609