MARCH 27, 2015 -- The North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) is leading a project funded by the Government of Japan to assess and forecast the effects of debris generated by the tsunami that followed the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. In particular, they are looking at those effects related to non-indigenous (alien or invasive) species, ecosystem structure and function, and the coastlines and communities of the west coast of North America and Hawaii, and then plan to suggest necessary measures.

This three year effort, extending from April 2014 to March 2017, is directed by a Project Science Team made up of researchers from Canada, Japan, and the United States. The team, which includes NOAA Marine Debris Program Director Nancy Wallace, met last week in Honolulu, Hawaii, to assess the progress made in the project's first year and set priorities for the second year.

For more information, contact Nancy Wallace.

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