Marine Pollution Research

Coastal Debris Research

New! Marine Debris to Energy Project (Fact Sheet)

Since 2001, we have been tracking marine debris on the NH coastline using data collected at our beach cleanups. Monthly cleanups started at one beach (Jenness Beach in Rye, NH) in June 2001 and have expanded to monthly cleanups at seventeen sites (on 12 different beaches) through our Adopt-a-Beach Program, which is supported by funding from the NH Coastal Program.  Data collected at the cleanups can tell us about trends in marine pollution - what types of debris are most prevalent, if debris is increasing or decreasing, and where the debris is originating (i.e. ocean or land).  We can use this information to develop outreach and educational programs to hopefully help prevent pollution in the future.  For information on data collected to date, download our reports to the NH Coastal Program here.

Catch the Wave... Keep Our Beaches Clean!

We are now collaborating with Dr. Jenna Jambeck, Assistant Research Professor in the The Environmental Research Group at the University of New Hampshire, to systematically study marine debris in New Hampshire. In summer 2006, we were awarded a grant under NOAA's Community-Based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal grants program.   This project will systematically analyze our marine debris data and combine information from a public survey (take the survey here!) to learn about and test methods to prevent marine pollution.

The project is unique in that we will be using GIS to map the types of debris found at different cleanup sites and compare it with factors such as sea conditions, weather and beach visitation to try to determine where and why different types of debris are more prevalent.

More on this project (project web site at UNH)

Cleanup data from 2005 & 2006

Help us by taking a 5-minute survey on marine pollution

Pelagic Marine Debris Research

In summer 2003, we began regularly collecting data on marine debris sightings from boats (see table below). This is not a complete study of marine pollution in the Gulf of Maine, but can give us a glimpse of the types of floating debris that are most prevalent, and help us determine the best methods to lower the impact of these pollutants on wildlife.

For more details, click here to download our recent report to the NH Coastal Program on our monitoring programs.

PELAGIC MARINE DEBRIS TOTALS, 2005

In 2005, plastic bags and balloons were the top two items found. Plastic bottles, paper and unknown plastic items were also found in large numbers. It is difficult to tell the exact source of these items, as all of them could either come from boats or drift out from shore.

PELAGIC MARINE DEBRIS TOTALS, 2003-2004

Following is total number of different types of pelagic debris spotted by three whale watch vessels (the Atlantic Queen II, Granite State and Prince of Whales) over two seasons as they traveled to/from their home port (Rye, NH or Newburyport, MA) to their whale watching destination.  Destinations varied, but the most common destination was Jeffreys Ledge.  

The items found in greatest numbers were balloons and plastic bags.  During the summer, many fishermen use balloons as “bobbers” to tell when they have a fish on.  Often, the balloons are left floating when the fishermen leave.  These balloons can cause harm to marine animals who ingest them accidentally.