Blue crabs are caught in a derelict crab trap pulled from the York River in Virginia. Derelict fishing gear can continue to trap and kill animals (Photo Credit: William and Mary's Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science). Commercial crabbers from Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia are collaborating with scientists from Stockton University in New Jersey and the William and Mary's Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science to reduce derelict fishing gear and support the Mid-Atlantic's productive blue crab fishery. With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, these two projects help sustain crabbers by providing employment opportunities during the fishing off-season. Crabbers help develop solutions to minimize trap loss, identify and remove lost pots in the water, salvage usable pots, and return costly gear to the commercial crabbing community. The winter crab trap recovery season recently came to a close, and both projects achieved significant milestones. Learn More Derelict fishing gear on the shoreline in Hallo Bay, Alaska (Photo Credit: NOAA). The 2025 field season is shaping up to be busy for marine debris removal in Alaska. Groups around the state are heading to remote beaches to remove as much debris as possible, leaving cleaner and healthier beaches at the end of the season. Due to Alaska's extreme weather conditions and remote locations, working in the field during the winter is nearly impossible. That means that all field activities must happen between April and October. Even during the summer season, completing field activities is complex and requires lots of preparation. It's essential to "gear up" and ensure everything is prepped and planned so that no time is wasted during the short season. Learn More A plastic hair tie found in Antarctica (Photo Credit: NOAA). Our trash has been found in every corner of our ocean, from the most remote shorelines, to ice in the Arctic, and even the deepest parts of the sea floor. It also impacts our Great Lakes and waterways. Anything human-made and solid can become marine debris once it is lost or littered in these aquatic environments. On World Environment Day, learn more about marine debris and how to be a part of the solution. Learn More Overview of Kuaihelani (Photo Credit: Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project). Celebrate World Ocean Day with the NOAA Marine Debris Program by taking action in your community. There is no "one-size-fits-all" solution to marine debris, and communities around the country are affected by marine debris in different ways. Beach-side Floridian communities may be concerned with abandoned vessels, while in coastal communities throughout the Northeast, lost fishing gear may be more prevalent. If you live inland, trash in the ocean and Great Lakes may not be directly visible, but your community may still have a role in creating the waste that becomes marine debris. Finding solutions that work for your community makes the fight against marine debris more effective. By working together as a community, we can have a larger impact. Check out these ideas on how to help! Learn More |
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