The NOAA Marine Debris Program offers several nationwide, competitive funding opportunities for marine debris projects. These include: marine debris removal grants; prevention through education and outreach grants; and research grants. Learn more about these opportunities.
California
California’s 1,100 miles of coastline feature an incredible diversity of habitats and marine life. A mix of major metropolitan areas and vast stretches of remote shoreline leads to a lot of variability in marine debris types and abundances washing ashore. At one extreme, the infamous Los Angeles River trash boom can capture an astounding amount of consumer debris after the first large storm – or “First Flush” – of the rainy season. On the other hand, an uninhabited beach on the North Coast sees a much lower abundance of debris over a large stretch of shoreline. Just offshore, lost or abandoned fishing gear threatens marine species and habitats. A variety of tactics are needed to solve the problem – but first and foremost is preventing debris at the source. Since 2006, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has worked with partners in the region to address marine debris through education, outreach, research, and removal projects.
Current Projects
Hot Topics
- Volunteers remove more than two tons of debris and lost fishing gear in Channel Islands beach cleanups
- Check out this video on best practices to prevent lobster trap loss, created through a project with Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
- The Clean Water Fund's ReThink Disposable Project is working with food businesses in the Bay Area to reduce the use of single use disposable plastics.
- While the crabbing season is delayed, fishermen work to retrieve derelict crab gear
- A new State Water Board trash policy was passed.
- Find information on NOAA's Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project.
- Marine debris generated by the 2011 tsunami in Japan continues to wash up on shorelines in the United States, including California. Learn more about tsunami debris and our efforts to address it.
Image Gallery
Tsunami Debris in California
Video
Regional Coordinator
Sherry Lippiatt
sherry.lippiatt@noaa.gov
FAQs
Tsunami debris began arriving on U.S. shores in the winter of 2011-2012 and has continued washing ashore in a scattered fashion ever since, mixing in with chronic marine debris. This pattern will likely continue. Beachgoers may notice an increase in debris on beaches, in addition to marine debris that normally washes up, depending on where ocean currents carry it.
Additional Resources
- The MDP is partnering with the CA Ocean Protection Council on updating the CA Ocean Litter Strategy. Public comment on the draft Strategy is open until February 23, 2018.
- California Coastal Commission Adopt-A-Beach Program
- State Water Resources Control Board Trash Control Policies
- West Coast Marine Debris Alliance