Legislation to Prevent Marine Debris from Our Ocean Reduces Threat of Entanglement to Mammals, Fish and Birds

Marine Debris Act passes Senate, awaits signature from President Bush

December 11, 2006

Media Contact: Tom McCann

Washington, DC — The Ocean Conservancy applauds Congress for completing work on the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (S. 362). The Senate approved the bill Friday, clearing it for consideration by the President. This bipartisan bill, sponsored by Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Ted Stevens (R-AK), represents an enormous victory in the effort not only to clear our ocean, and coasts from damaging marine debris, but in preventing the debris as well.

"Marine debris such as discarded fishing lines and nets is responsible for killing or injuring thousands of marine mammals, fish and birds every year," said Vikki Spruill, President of The Ocean Conservancy. "This legislation helps prevent marine-life entanglement by addressing some of the major sources of dangerous marine debris. It will expand the existing body of science, contribute to our understanding of its sources, and lead to more effective prevention."

Marine debris poses a threat to shorelines, and essential habitat throughout our ocean. It can include derelict fishing gear and nets from commercial fishing, as well as debris from land-based activities, including floating plastic materials, which are often mistaken for food by marine wildlife and ingested. The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy highlighted the damage done to fragile coral reefs, seagrass beds, other sensitive habitat, and marine wildlife by drifting fishing gear, and offered recommendations to address the issue. "We're thrilled to see Congress act on these important findings and recommendations by the U.S. Ocean Commission," said Spruill.

"Marine debris poses a particular threat to the new Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument, which is home to hundreds of miles of pristine coral reef, and is critical habitat for diverse fish and wildlife including the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal," said Ocean Conservancy Vice President David Hoskins. In the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Pacific currents carry untold tons of debris and trash every year to the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. "This bill will not only help protect and enhance our nation's newest National Monument, but will ensure a national approach to conducting research on impacts and sources of marine debris, and to the cleanup and prevention of the ocean trash that threatens our sensitive marine environments," added Hoskins.

In order to stop the problem before debris even enters the ocean, the bill will establish a marine debris program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for prevention, monitoring, and removal of marine debris; enhance Coast Guard efforts at prevention and enforcement; improve coordination of different federal agencies; and establish a federal information clearinghouse on marine debris.

"We are grateful for Senators Inouye's and Stevens' leadership on this important bill and congratulate the House and Senate on moving it forward," continued Hoskins. "We now urge the President to sign the bill, and take action to address this complex, but ultimately solvable issue facing our ocean ecosystems."

For over 21 years, The Ocean Conservancy has mobilized volunteers on a global level to help remove trash and debris from coastlines and waterways through the International Coastal Cleanup. To date, 6 million volunteers from around the world have removed over 100 million pounds of marine debris from our ocean, and waterways.

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