Removing Hurricane-Deposited Marine Debris from Mangrove Shorelines & Developing a U.S. Virgin Islands Marine Debris Action Plan

University of the Virgin Islands’ Center for Marine and Environmental Studies removed hurricane-deposited marine debris from vulnerable mangrove shorelines, through a series of cleanups  in the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Type of Project: Removal

Region: Caribbean

Project Dates: September 2019 - August 2022

Who was involved?

The University of the Virgin Islands’ Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, with support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, worked to remove hurricane-deposited marine debris from vulnerable mangrove shorelines, through a series of cleanups called “Great Mangrove Cleanups” in marine protected areas and NOAA Coral Reef Program Priority Areas on St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The project also worked to build capacity within the U.S. Virgin Islands to address future marine debris challenges by developing a territorial Marine Debris Action Plan with stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations. 

What was the project and why is it important?

Hurricanes Irma and Maria produced substantial amounts of marine debris when they struck the U.S. Virgin Islands in September 2017. Much of the debris was deposited in the mangrove shorelines, where it remained until the start of this project in 2019, putting vulnerable and sensitive habitats at risk. 

Through this project the University of the Virgin Islands’ Center for Marine and Environmental Studies removed this debris from mangrove shoreline and   increased capacity to address marine debris issues and challenges through the creation of an action plan. 

What were the results?

Through this project, the U.S. Virgin Island Marine Debris Action Plan (Action Plan) was developed with the input of 90 individuals from over three dozen organizations. A first for all U.S. territories, the Action Plan is a living document, created to protect the U.s. Virgin Islands’ coasts, people, and wildlife from the impacts of marine debris. Additionally, six Great Mangrove Cleanups were executed across St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. These cleanups engaged 326 volunteers to remove 15,164 pounds of marine debris, primarily land-based single use plastics, from mangrove shorelines. Data from the cleanups were summarized into infographics to share with volunteers and the general public.

For more information about this project, visit the Marine Debris Program Clearinghouse.