Gulf of Mexico Marine Debris Project

The 2005 hurricane season resulted in the dense littering of the Northern Gulf of Mexico nearshore environment with debris that presents hazards to safe navigation, commercial fishing, and other coastal uses.  As a collaborative effort between the Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), NOAA Marine Debris Program and the Office of Coast Survey (OCS), the NOAA Gulf of Mexico Marine Debris Project team is working with federal and state agencies, and local industry, to ensure coordination of an ongoing recovery in response to the threat of submerged marine debris in the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coastal zones.

OCS is conducting hydrographic survey work that includes sounding measurements to determine the depth of the debris and the use of side scan sonar to provide imagery of the seafloor and marine debris.  The hydrographic survey data, along with fishing density information and seafloor characterization data will aid in the risk assessment and prioritization of debris, to aid removal strategies and help restore safe navigation and re-establish viable commercial fishing.

The Marine Debris Program, within OR&R, is leading the development of a comprehensive public information effort, which includes a project integrated website and GIS interface to give access of the survey data and results of the risk assessment to those who need it for debris avoidance and removal activities. NOAA is working collaboratively with local stakeholders and state agencies, through a series of workshops, to determine their data needs and develop methods of disseminating this information in a useful and effective manner.