Save Our Shores is teaming up with the NOAA Marine Debris Program to remove large debris items from difficult-to-access areas of three major watersheds that feed into Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Type of Project: Community-based Marine Debris Removal Grant

Region: California

Project Dates: August 2017 – July 2018

Who is involved?
Save Our Shores, with the support of a NOAA Marine Debris Program Community-based Marine Debris Removal grant, is removing at least seven tons of debris from watersheds that feed into Central California’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

What is the project and why is it important?
The Pajaro River, Elkhorn Slough, and Salinas River all feed into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and are home to countless protected species and habitats. These three watersheds unfortunately also consistently rank among the top ten Sanctuary hotspots for trash and marine debris. These areas are affected by illegal dumping of household goods, furniture, appliances, and agricultural waste left behind by local migrant communities that lack sufficient waste disposal options.

Save Our Shores is cleaning up these watersheds through at least 19 volunteer events expected to attract 200 volunteers and remove at least seven tons of debris. Paddleboard- and kayak-based waterway cleanups allow volunteers to access back reaches and narrow inlets, and shore-based cleanups on protected lands are targeting areas where illegal dumping is common. Save Our Shores is also conducting outreach to local schools, sharing project results at community events, and engaging agricultural companies and their employees in developing solutions to this debris issue.