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.
Northeast
With an urbanized coastline and diverse coastal habitats that support both valuable fisheries and protected species, marine debris has extensive impacts on the economy and the environment in the Northeast. Lost, abandoned, or discarded fishing gear can unintentionally trap fish, lobsters, and other wildlife, which threatens the survival of protected and endangered species. In addition, trash from urban areas is often carried to the ocean, littering beaches and sensitive marine ecosystems. The NOAA Marine Debris Program, in partnership with local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and coastal and fishing communities, aims to prevent and reduce marine debris in the Northeast through education, research, and removal projects, as well as response to large debris events.
Current Projects
![Volunteers remove marine debris from Lido Beach on Long Island. Volunteers remove marine debris from Lido Beach on Long Island.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218055550im_/https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/crop400x175/public/regions/2014_LidoBeachCleanup_HofstraUniversity_HofstraUniversity_38.jpg?itok=YhNA91Gv)
Reports and Materials
![Volunteers pull large debris out of Jamaica Bay marsh. Volunteers pull large debris out of Jamaica Bay marsh.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20201218055550im_/https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/styles/crop400x175/public/regions/littoral3.jpg?itok=5U_s0Jq8)
Hot Topics
- Learn more about Fishing for Energy, a program that provides a place for fishermen to dispose of unwanted fishing gear at no cost.
- Engaging the Next Generation at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston
- Gulf of Maine Council Meeting
- Marine Debris Research in New England
- University of Rhode Island’s "Plastics: Land to Sea Summit"
- Monofilament Recycling in Massachusetts
Abandoned and Derelict Vessel information for states and territories in the Northeast region:
Image Gallery
Video
Regional Coordinator
Demi Fox
Demi.Fox@noaa.gov