Marine Debris 101 for Boaters
NOAA Embarks on Educational Effort to Reduce Pollution
Marine debris poses a danger to the ocean and coastal environment. Boaters can learn more about reducing maritime pollution at the NOAA Marine Debris 101 website
Researchers see marine debris as being one of the most pervasive pollution risks facing our oceans and waterfronts today. Marine debris is consists of man-made materials like plastic, glass, Styrofoam, and metal that inadvertently enter the environment. Some seventy percent of this pollution comes from land-based sources. An example is trash washed off of streets is flushed into the ocean through municipal storm sewers. Boats and marine users contribute seven million tons of garbage annually, accounting for remaining thirty percent of marine debris dumped into the ocean environment.
A Comprehensive Website - NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has launched a comprehensive on-line effort to combat marine debris and improve public awareness of the problem. Called Marine Debris 101, the program website provides detailed information aimed at beachgoers, fishermen, boaters, marina operators, students, and educators.
Solid Waste is a National Problem - With the average American responsible for generating more than four pounds (two kilograms) of trash daily, it is important for boaters to effectively address the issue. Marine debris takes an incredible time to break down in the environment. A glass bottle will still be intact after a million years, an aluminum can last 200 years, and a plastic bag will remain free to blow in the wind for twenty years. In a recent press release, NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, Ph.D. said, "The most effective way to clean up marine debris is to keep it out of the water in the first place. By educating the public on and around the water, we keep dangerous debris in its place and out of the water.”
Sources of Marine Debris - Ocean based sources account for 30% of the waste, with land based sources making up the remaining 70% of the problem.
Ocean-based Sources - Marine debris can be dumped or washed from vessels and marine facilities at sea
- Fishing Vessels - Lost nets, lines and fishing gear is regularly lost by commercial fishing vessels
- Stationary Platforms - Plastic drill pipe protectors, storage drums, gloves and other solid wastes are generated by offshore oil and gas platforms are surrounded by water
- Cargo Ships and Other Vessels - Cargo, lumber, logs, cargo containers and other ship borne materials are lost overboard from container vessels, cruise ships and other freighters
Land-based Sources - Solid wastes generated on land can be washed or blown into the ocean
- Littering and Poor Waste Management Practices - Improper disposal of trash and solid wastes onto land and into rivers or streams contributes to marine debris found in the ocean
- Storm Water Discharges - Storm water runoff channeled through natural waterways and municipal storm sewers transports wastes directly to the waterfront
- Extreme Natural Events - Disaster events like hurricanes, floods, and tsunami transport huge amounts of solid waste into the ocean
Marine debris continues to be a global problem that destroys a million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals annually. Most of the this problem can be traced to the improper disposal of sold wastes. Boaters can take many positive steps to mitigate their impact on the environment. The Marine Debris 101 website offers a wealth of additional information on the subject with brochures, posters, activity books, and guidebooks that can be downloaded.
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