Ghost fishing. That phrase makes you think about a spectral figure sitting on the banks of a river with a glowing fishing pole. Or perhaps you imagine a team of paranormal investigators trying to lure a ghost out into the open. The truth is not so supernatural, but just as scary.
Tomorrow is Make a Difference Day! Ocean litter is a big problem, but the good thing about it is we can all make a difference. A vast majority of marine debris in the global ocean is from land-based sources and activities, which means that we can stop it right here where we live. You can be part of the solution. Tomorrow, see what you can do to make a difference in the amount of trash entering the ocean and Great Lakes.
Halloween is only a week away! If you don’t already have your costume planned out, there’s still time to make your own. By using materials destined for the trash can, you can create a unique costume and reduce waste at the same time. Take a look around your house and see what can be repurposed for some halloween fun.
Are you a student or teacher with a passion for art, our ocean, and Great Lakes? Then break out your art supplies because we need YOUR help to raise awareness about marine debris! This year’s NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest is officially open.
It’s fall! For those of us in the temperate parts of the country, this means temperatures are getting cooler and the leaves are changing color. Those beautiful red, orange, and yellow leaves are also starting to fall, covering our yards and sidewalks. Some love crunching through the leaves. For others, it's a big chore to rake all of them up. No matter your view, you should be aware that those leaves can potentially transport debris.
You can learn all about monitoring in the latest video in our Trash Talk series, Trash Counts. It follows a group of high school students as they monitor the beaches in their community for marine debris. Their data, as well as data from other citizen scientists and classrooms all around the world, can help us figure out the most effective ways stop debris from entering the ocean and Great Lakes.