Transcript NOAA_Marine_Debris_Program

NOAA Marine Debris Program
Preventing and Reducing the Harmful Impacts
of Marine Debris on Our Oceans and
Coasts
RRT 3 Meeting
May 2007
Ed Levine
NOAA Office of Response and Restoration
Emergency Response Division
Overview
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Background: What is marine debris?
NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP)
Program focus areas
Examples of projects we support
Examples of projects we manage
What is Marine Debris?
NOAA Definition: “any man-made object discarded, disposed of, or
abandoned that enters the coastal or marine environment”
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Marine Debris is usually man-made
From land and sea
Persistent
Harmful to:
 People
 The Environment
 The Economy
A Close Call…
“The Russian mini-sub Priz (Prize) AS-28, with 7 crew members on
board, ran into trouble on Thursday August 4th, during a military
exercise off the Kamchatka peninsula in the Pacific Ocean. The
vessel got stuck after its propeller became entangled in fishing nets.”
(Moscownews.com 8/6/2005)
Rescued crew. Photo: Times
Priz-type sub. Photo: AP
What does it look like?
Marine Debris can be very dangerous, threatening our oceans
and coasts, endangering marine animals and seabirds,
affecting navigation and even our own health and safety. It
also takes away from the beauty of our natural environment.
Polluted Beaches
Hawaii, USA
Manila, Philippines
Dorset Coast, UK
Alaska, USA
Derelict Fishing Gear
Photos: NOAA ORR
DFG Victims
Photo: NOAA NMFS
NOAA MDP
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In 2005 NOAA re-established a
centralized marine debris program
within the Office of Response &
Restoration
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Goal:
To undertake a national effort focused
on identifying, reducing, and
preventing the occurrence of marine
debris
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Strategies:
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Research
Reduction through removal
Prevention
Emergency response
Website: www.marinedebris.noaa.gov
Marine Debris Act
The Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act
• Signed into law by President Bush on December 22, 2006,
establishing a Marine Debris Program within NOAA.
• Provides a $10M authorization for NOAA to implement the program,
including mapping, identification, and impact assessments; reduction
and prevention activities; research and development of alternatives to
fishing gear; and outreach activities.
• Allows NOAA to engage local communities, NGOs, and universities in
efforts to educate the public about marine debris, target problem
areas, and encourage innovative solutions to marine debris issues.
NOAA MDP Focus Areas
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Derelict fishing gear (DFG)
Training/protocols
Data collection and assessment
On-the-ground efforts
Prevention of derelict vessels
Coordination
Photo: NOAA ORR
Projects we Support: Chesapeake Bay
Crab pots
Photos: NOAA CBO
Derelict pot
Projects we Support: NWHI DFG Removal
Projects We Support: Divers Training
Projects we manage: Unalaska DFG Removal
• December, 2004: M/V Selendang
Ayu grounded on the west side of
Unalaska Island
• Some initial cleanup done, but most
was postponed to spring and
summer 2005
• Extensive survey needed (over 500
miles of coastline)
• Area inundated with MD
• Proposal: Have SCAT do both oil
and MD, enter MD data to
database, prioritize sites, then
clean them up
M/V Selendang Ayu in Unalaska. Photo: ADEC
Unalaska MD Removal: SCAT + MD Survey
Unalaska MD Removal: Data and Maps
Unalaska MD Removal: The Cleanup
Project we Manage: Gulf of Mexico Marine Debris Project
• Katrina and Rita deposited
huge amounts of debris in the
Gulf of Mexico coastal zone
• Major shipping channels were
surveyed and debris removed
• Near shore fishing and
recreation areas have not
been surveyed, debris present
• Funding from Congress to
survey
• NOAA OCS: surveys, data
processing, DTON notices
• NOAA OR&R: Web site, GIS
mapping products, and
outreach
Sunken vessel in Lake Borgne, LA
Who Does What?
Two NOAA Offices:
Office of Coast Survey
• Plans and manages the
surveys
• 5 contractors in 3
States
• Generates and
processes survey data,
and posts it on a server
Office of Response and
Restoration
• Pulls the data from the
server
• Generates area maps in
PDF format and IMS
• Runs a Web Site
• Conducts Outreach
GOMMDP: Survey Areas
OCS: The Survey
Side scan image – Mobile Bay, AL
Side scan sonar array
GOMMDP: Web site
http://gulfofmexico.marinedebris.noaa.gov/
Static Debris Map
IMS Site
Marine Debris Density
Initial Data Analysis: Volume Histograms
A Tale of Two Sites
GOMMDP: Removal Efforts
GOMMDP: Outreach
• GOMMDP outreach to
stakeholders
• Sea Grant outreach to
local communities
M/V Paris Express
lost containers, offshore
Cape Hatteras, NC
Photo Credit Lisa Goshe (NOAA/NMFS)
Funding Opportunities
The MDP has created an internal funding opportunity to build on NOAA's
capability to educate people about marine debris and to reduce and prevent
the introduction of debris.
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Research & Data Collection
Education/outreach and training/protocols
Derelict fishing gear (DFG)
The MDP has also created two opportunities for external partners to apply for
federal funds. The external grants are created to provide funding for nonNOAA entities to conduct projects that support the mission of the NOAA
MDP.
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National Fish and Wildlife Foundation http://www.nfwf.org/guidelines.cfm
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NOAA Restoration Center http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/ restoration
Acknowledgements
NOAA Marine Debris Program:
Holly Bamford, Ph.D.
Sarah Morison
Megan Forbes
Nir Barnea
Kris McElwee
Carey Morishige
Neal Parry
Brendan Bray
Krissy Rusello
Donna Lawson
Photography:
NOAA Marine Debris Program
NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
NOAA Abandoned Vessel Program