Since the inception of the NOAA Marine Debris Program in 2006, NOAA has strived to help find solutions to the marine debris problem. The fiscal year 2021-2025 Strategic Plan highlights how the MDP will work with dedicated staff and partners for the next five years to make a measurable change toward reaching our vision: the global ocean and its coasts free from the impacts of marine debris.
Who We Are
In 2006, Congress authorized the NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) as the U.S. Federal government’s lead for addressing marine debris. The MDP achieves its mission through five main pillars: Removal, Prevention, Research, Regional Coordination, and Emergency Response.
MDP staff is positioned across the country in order to support projects and partnerships with state and local agencies, tribes, non-governmental organizations, academia, and industry.
Vision
The NOAA Marine Debris Program envisions the global ocean and its coasts free from the impacts of marine debris.
Mission
The mission of the NOAA Marine Debris Program is to investigate and prevent the adverse impacts of marine debris.
The NOAA Marine Debris Program is authorized by Congress to work on marine debris through the Marine Debris Act, signed into law in 2006 and amended in 2012 and 2018.
Contact Us
Resources: Links
Resources: Downloads
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