What is marine debris? - National Ocean Service

Marine debris is defined as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or ... Home Facts Whatismarinedebris? Whatismarinedebris? Marinedebrisismorethananeyesore NOAAdiversreleasesealfrommarinedebrisentanglement.Entanglementinderelictfishinggearcanleadtoinjuryordeathinmarineorganisms. Marinedebrisinjuresandkillsmarinelife,interfereswithnavigationsafety,andposesathreattohumanhealth.Ouroceanandwaterwaysarepollutedwithawidevarietyofmarinedebrisrangingfromsodacansandplasticbagstoderelictfishinggearandabandonedvessels.  Marinedebrisisdefinedasanypersistentsolidmaterialthatismanufacturedorprocessedanddirectlyorindirectly,intentionallyorunintentionally,disposedoforabandonedintothemarineenvironmentortheGreatLakes. Today,thereisnoplaceonEarthimmunetothisproblem.Amajorityofthetrashanddebristhatcoversourbeachescomesfromstormdrainsandsewers,aswellasfromshorelineandrecreationalactivitiessuchaspicnickingandbeachgoing.Abandonedordiscardedfishinggearisalsoamajorproblembecausethistrashcanentangle,injure,maim,anddrownmarinewildlifeanddamageproperty. MoreInformation NOAAMarineDebrisProgram MarineDebrisFastFacts Video:TRASHTALK SearchOurfacts GetSocial Social Lastupdated: 1/04/21 Author:NOAA Howtocitethisarticle ContactUs