NOAA action to reduce the impact of marine debris:

Transcription

1 NOAA action to reduce the impact of marine debris: through research, education, and removal. Jason Rolfe Southeast and Caribbean regional coordinator NOAA Marine Debris Program

2 In this presentation: Marine Debris NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) creation, history, role NOAA s MDP Mission and Mandates Our Partners and Products Day to Day Activities/Severe Marine Debris Event Response

3 Sources and Impacts Land Based Ocean Based Natural Events Wildlife entanglement Wildlife Ingestion Economic costs Aesthetic value/costs Vessel damage Navigation hazards Habitat destruction Invasive species Human health / safety

4 NOAA Marine Debris Program(MDP) Marine Debris Act mandates: - NOAA authorized to implement the MDP through: Research, Prevention, Reduction - Chair the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee (IMDCC) - Develop and Maintain Information Clearinghouse Research Goal: Understand the fate and impacts of marine debris and mitigate those impacts Prevention Goal: Encourage social behavior changes through outreach and education Reduction Goal: Prevent and reduce the occurrence and impacts of marine debris

5 Research, Monitoring, and Impact Degradation rates and chemical impacts Shoreline and at-sea monitoring Environmental and Economic Impact Assessment

6 Severe Marine Debris Events MDP Reauthorized in December 2012 Marine Debris Act defines a severe marine debris event as atypically large amounts of marine debris caused by a natural disaster, including a tsunami, flood, landslide, or hurricane, or other source. (US Navy, March 15, 2011) Main Activities During Event Response: Providing scientific support Assisting in coordination Communications and outreach (David Gard/The Star-Ledger October 30, 2012)

7 Tsunami Event Overview 9.0 magnitude earthquake Tsunami: 130 ft max wave height 217 square miles inundation 15,844 people confirmed dead, 5,890 injured, and 3,451 missing

8 March 13, 2011: Debris off the Sendai coast Debris formed patches Most debris likely sank immediately NASA/NESDIS collaborated on early satellite detection (US Navy, March, 2011)

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10 Computer Modeling NOAA GNOME (General NOAA Operational Modeling Environment) Hindcast (vs. forecast), Low, medium, and high windage, U.S. Navy HyCOM (ocean currents) and NOAA data (wind) Recent GNOME results Winter of : Marine debris of mixed types may wash ashore in W. coast states, AK, and Hawaii. No models exist yet specifically for marine debris of all shapes and sizes.

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12 Coordination 29 Sept 2012; N. Pacific 30 Nov. 2012; Kahana Bay, HI 2 Nov. 2012; Midway Atoll, HI NOAA Marine Debris Program Regional coordinators (WA/OR, CA, AK, Pacific Islands Region) Work with partners in all states/territories of potential impact Response coordination support and planning Meetings, workshops, and table-top exercises Communications 18 Jan. 2013; HI 24 Dec. 2012; Punalu u, HI Funding ($50K from NOAA and $5M gift from Japan) Work with the Consulates and Government of Japan Debris item confirmation as originating from the tsunami

13 State-led Planning - All states have developed action plans to respond to tsunami marine debris - Plans include rapid-response protocols; leverage state knowledge and capabilities - State partners take lead with support from various agencies, groups, and individuals - NOAA provides support and helps coordinate response efforts

14 Shoreline Monitoring NOAA Marine Debris Program Shoreline Monitoring Guide, data sheet, & database = monitoring site (NOAA protocol) = monitoring site (non-noaa protocol)

15 Post-Sandy Response Supplemental funds being used to: Collect data from state agencies, federal partners, local NGOs, marinas and harbor masters; Analyze pre and post storm imagery building baseline of impacts; Map the locations of stranded items; Search for debris in near-shore underwater survey data; Integrate debris found in surveys into GIS and assist partners with prioritizing debris items for removal and develop disposal options; Develop best practices for removal of debris from sensitive habitats; Support limited removal of debris items not addressed by the states or through FEMA Public Assistance funding; and Coordinate contingency planning for NY and NJ to prepare for future severe marine debris events.

16 Current Projects: Previous Projects: Removal Grants: Alabama: The Dauphin Island Sea Lab will remove derelict vessels and address habitat impairment in the Dog River Watershed in Mobile. Florida: The Coastal Cleanup Corporation will remove plastics, glass, Styrofoam, rubber and discarded fishing gear from sea turtle nesting sites within Biscayne National Park. Broward County Waste Tire Removal Project(2012) Derelict Net Removal in South Florida(2012) Derelict Fishing Gear Identification and Removal Project: Miami-Dade County, Florida(2012) Removal of crab pots from known hotspots in Virginia(2012) Identification, Reduction and Prevention of Abandoned Vessels in South Carolina (2009)

17 Outreach

18 Education

19 NOAA MDP Projects with Education Components Current project: North Carolina: The North Carolina Coastal Federation works with commercial fishermen(and local communities) to remove derelict crab pots and repurpose them as artificial oyster reefs. Connecting with local residents, instilling a sense of stewardship, and teaching regional ecology. Past projects: Derelict Crab Trap Removal in the Mullica River Great Bay Estuary (New Jersey) 2-year on-the-ground, sustainable, community-based removal project Cleaning Florida s Forgotten Coast (Florida) - Cleanups, preceding sea turtle nesting season, to restore the habitat.

20 Southeast Atlantic Marine Debris Initiative Education and Outreach Partnership with the University of Georgia - Develop Marine Debris Tracker and Website - Initiate North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia consortium to strategize marine debris efforts and work with local partners through education and outreach mini grants Total of 8 projects funded through this partnership with UGA: - Reading Between the Lines: Marine Debris Education for Children in Georgia, Georgia Marine Extension Service and Georgia Sea Grant College Program - Georgia Sea Turtle Center Marine Debris Citizen Science and Education Program, Georgia Sea Turtle Center - Plastic Debris on the Georgia Coast, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and UGA Marine Extension Service - Tracking Monofilament Line Recycling to Make a Difference fo Our Wildlife, North Carolina Big Sweep Statewide Headquarters

21 Questions to Consider What are the best avenues for curriculum delivery(reaching as many students/stewards as possible with topics that resonate)? How can we improve materials and make marine debris a more dynamic topic (what are some challenges and solutions, best practices, and regional success stories)?

22 Thank you. Jason Rolfe Southeast and Caribbean Regional Coordinator NOAA Marine Debris Program Leah Henry Communications and Education Specialist NOAA Marine Debris Program