Water Quality

Marine Debris

NOAA defines marine debris as any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes. Marine debris has the potential to impact ecosystems, economies and public health. Addressing the problem requires collaboration across multiple levels of government, with partners in the private sector, and with members of the public. MARCO supports regional coordination on marine debris through several collaborative efforts, one being the Marine Debris Work Group.

Together we are all responsible for the marine debris that flows into the Mid-Atlantic Ocean and together we must all pitch in to stop that flow.  Each state, agency, community, organization and individual must help if we are to succeed. The types of litter and sources of marine debris are myriad – consumer and single-use plastics, microfibers and microplastics, derelict and abandoned fishing gear. Reducing and ultimately eliminating this threat is paramount to the health of our environment, our coastal economies, and even our personal health.