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Senate Helps Spread the Message about Marine Debris

July 28, 2017--On July 25, the Senate Commerce subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard held a hearing to explore the efforts on marine debris in the oceans and Great Lakes.

Nancy Wallace, Director of the NOAA Marine Debris Program, participated as a witness along with Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, David Balton, from the Department of State, and Dr. Melissa Duhaime from the University of Michigan. The subcommittee chairman and ranking member, Senator Sullivan of Alaska and Senator Peters of Michigan, are both co-sponsors of the Save Our Seas Act of 2017 that was introduced in April of this year. Witnesses testified on the effects of marine debris on both the environment and humans, efforts to address this issue both in the U.S. and internationally, and recent research findings concerning microplastics, pieces of plastic <5mm in size. There was strong bipartisan interest, with 11 of 15 members of the subcommittee attending and a guest testimony from Senator Whitehouse, another co-sponsor of the Save Our Seas Act. Members encouraged the witnesses to consider how else Congress can aid in the fight against the growing problem of marine debris. You can watch full coverage of the hearing here. For additional information, please contact: Jennafer.Malek@noaa.gov. Go back to OR&R Weekly Report.

Woman sitting at a table.
NOAA Marine Debris Program Director, Nancy Wallace, prepares to testify at the Senate Commerce Oceans subcommittee hearing on marine debris. Image credit: NOAA.
Last updated Tuesday, November 8, 2022 1:51pm PST