Thirteen new projects have been funded for over $26.4 million under the NOAA Marine Debris Program, with a focus on abandoned and derelict vessels and fishing gear, and the use of proven debris interception technologies.
Recipients of the funding announced on Dec. 4 by the NOAA Marine Debris Program for fiscal year 2025 included nine for large-scale marine debris cleanup and four using debris technologies.
Pacific Coastal Research & Planning, a small non-profit in the Northern Mariana Islands, was allocated $4.9 million to remove 23 abandoned boats and an estimated 40,000 pounds of derelict fishing gear from the coastal environments of the U.S. Territory of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, and the Freely Associated States of the Republic of Palau and Federated States of Micronesia.
Washington's Department of Natural Resources received $3.5 million for removal of four large, run-down, and abandoned boats from the coastal and marine waters of Washington State and tidally influenced areas of the Columbia River. These former military vessels were abandoned by their new owners and now pose serious risks to Washington’s waterways, according to NOAA.
Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services was allocated $2.9 million for removal of 40,000 clam bags and other debris displaced by hurricanes in the waters around Cedar Key.
California's Department of Parks and Recreation was granted $2.6 million to work with local sheriff departments and construction and salvage companies to identify and remove 50 abandoned vessels and 80 submerged vehicles from four counties within the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, removing more than 2,000,000 pounds of marine debris.
The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council was awarded $2.3 million for removal of some 23,000 square feet of creosote timbers and piers from the Providence River near downtown Providence.
The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation was awarded $2.3 million to remove an estimated 1,000,000 pounds of large marine debris, including 24 abandoned and derelict vessels in high-traffic boating areas and public beaches.
A second New York grant of $1.8 million went to the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County to remove more than 480,000 pounds of marine debris from Long Island Sound, including 9,000 derelict lobster traps that threaten fishing communities and local economies.
Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council received $2.3 million to remove approximately 23,000 square feet of creosote timbers and piers from the Providence River near downtown Providence.
Funds totaling $1.8 million went to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources for removal of approximately 50 run-down and abandoned boats and other large debris totaling an estimated 100,000 pounds from the waters of St. Croix and St. John.
Coastal Environments Inc. in Louisiana was awarded $1.1 million for removal of some 22 run-down and abandoned boats from the waters of South Louisiana considered an eyesore and hazard for local communities and visitors.
Four interception technologies projects were also funded, including $853,239 to the Delaware Sea Grant program at the University of Delaware. $765,000 to
Pontchartrain Conservancy in Louisiana, $655,328 to Loyola University of Chicago, $559,192 to the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University.
