Marine Debris

A Coast that is Free of Marine Debris

Marine debris can come from major storms, lost fishing gear, abandoned vessels or trash that gets left behind while people are enjoying our beautiful coast. This debris comes in all sizes from boats to microplastics, and all are dangerous to both wildlife and people. The Coastal Federation has a vision of a coast that is free of marine debris. We’re working diligently on a variety of fronts to clean up our coast and prevent new debris from entering the environment. We are continuing the implementation of the N.C. Marine Debris Action Plan that was released in 2020. We are collaborating with state and local partners to remove several unsightly vessels that have been abandoned and displaced from hurricanes. Microplastics are tiny but their potential to damage our environment is huge. So this year we’re taking a closer look to encourage important research on microplastics and organize an informational forum to connect scientific experts with local policy-makers. This is a new focus area for the federation and plan to advocate for environmental policies that take science into account.

Key Actions for 2021

1. Lead implementation of the N.C. Marine Debris Action Plan including presenting our debris removal and prevention impacts at February Marine Debris Symposium.
2. Lead the seventh year of the Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project to remove lost crab pots from coastal sounds.
3. Work with fishers and contractors to remove large-scale marine debris from coastal waters.
4. Collaborate with the N.C. Division of Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission to remove about 70 abandoned and derelict vessels.
5. Host a public forum on microplastics, and team up with university scientists to better understand and document their sources, concentrations and health implications.
6. Work with stakeholders to develop construction and maintenance standards for docks and piers to minimize marine debris from future storms.
7. Develop and share case studies and best management practices for large scale marine debris cleanup and vessel removal.

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