JUNE 17, 2016--The NOAA Marine Debris Program participated in the Smithsonian National Zoo's World Ocean Day event on Saturday, June 11. More than 3,200 visitors participated in the overall event, which primarily focused on marine debris and the impact we have on the ocean environment.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program partnered with the NOAA's Office of Protected Resources to educate the public about various threatened ocean animals and how marine debris plays a role in harming them. The event highlighted the Washed Ashore Project's current exhibit at the National Zoo that features 17 sculptures made entirely of marine debris. The Washed Ashore Project is a NOAA Marine Debris Program grant-funded partner.

For more information about the event, contact Asma.Mahdi@noaa.gov.
Photo: NOAA Marine Debris Program Outreach and Communications Specialist, Asma Mahdi, shows curious zoo-visitor microplastics and explains how animals can easily mistake it for food. (NOAA)

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