NOAA, EPA and other federal partners announced a new strategy this month to combat the global issue of trash in our ocean.
NOAA, EPA and other federal partners announced a new strategy this month to combat the global issue of trash in our ocean. The strategy focuses on four pillars: building capacity for better waste and litter management systems, incentivizing global recycling, promoting research and development, and removing debris.
The strategy recognizes marine debris, often referred to as marine litter, as a pervasive global problem that touches every corner of our ocean and coasts. Marine debris can travel long distances from its source of entry into the marine environment, and move across national boundaries and territorial waters. Marine debris is not only an environmental problem, but can have social, economic and political impacts and presents challenges to global food security. The Strategy outlines ways the United States will lead global efforts to prevent and reduce mismanagement of waste and improve the health of our shared global ocean resources.
“The power of America’s blue economy is directly tied to the health of our ocean and coasts,” said retired Navy Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and deputy NOAA administrator. “NOAA’s leadership in preventing and removing marine debris, along with our partnership with EPA and so many others, represents a whole of government approach that this important strategy embodies.”
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Image via NOAA.
