The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program is the United States Government’s lead for addressing the impacts of marine debris on our ocean, waterways, and Great Lakes. We work with organizations around the United States and globally to prevent marine debris from entering the environment, remove it from coastal areas, better understand the problem through research and shoreline monitoring, and respond to debris created by disasters. Learn more about the Marine Debris Program here. 

Marine debris on a remote beach in Alaska.

Gearing Up for Summer Removals in Alaska

Due to Alaska's extreme weather conditions and remote locations, working in the field during the winter in most places is nearly impossible. That means that field activities must happen in a defined “field season,” sometime between April and October for most of the state. 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.

Marine Debris Program Regions

In this section, you can find state or region-specific information on current marine debris projects and activities. Marine debris impacts every U.S. coastal state and territory. In order to address it, the NOAA Marine Debris Program positions coordinators around the country to provide local expertise and guidance to marine debris stakeholders.