A coast that is free of marine debris.
Marine debris, or litter that has made its way into and around coastal waterways, is dangerous to fish, birds, wildlife and people. The vast amount of trash results from storms, accidents or simple carelessness. Debris can result from lost fishing gear, damage to structures caused by storms, abandoned or lost vessels, accidental or intentional spills and from people who toss away or lose their trash in waterways.
Our 2020 Goals:
Marine debris can come from major storms like Hurricane Florence, lost or abandoned fishing gear and vessels, or by people accidentally or carelessly leave trash behind while boating or enjoying our coastal beaches and waterways. It is dangerous to both wildlife and people. The Coastal Federation has a vision of a coast that is free of marine debris, and we’re working diligently on a variety of fronts to clean up our coast and prevent new debris from entering the environment. We led development of the recently unveiled North Carolina Marine Debris Action Plan that sets a clear course for marine debris reduction and prevention. We are also collaborating with state and local partners to do a deep clean of the coast and continue to remove tons of debris each month.
