Marine Debris in Alaska
Marine debris is defined as “...any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment” (from NOAA Marine Debris Program: What is Marine Debris?). In Alaska, this may include lost floatation devices from boats or docks, derelict nets and fishing gear, and post-consumer waste such as plastic bottles, cans, and even shoes and sunglasses.
Marine debris presents unique and complex challenges in Alaska. Alaska’s shoreline is vast, with over 47,000 miles of exposed, island, and inlet shorelines and tidal areas. Alaska is remote and most places are not accessible by road. Heavy vessel traffic, a large fishing industry, and major ocean currents add to the complexity of addressing Alaska’s marine debris.
There is an active and dedicated marine debris community across Alaska. Many of these groups have been working on the issue for years, gaining valuable experience and insight. This community is continuing to grow as new groups step into the issue. Across groups, many consistent challenges exist that are unique to Alaska.
Community-led Marine Debris Removal Projects
Selected through competitive funding opportunities in 2024 and 2025, the Alaska Center for Marine Debris is supporting 15 community-led marine debris removal projects across the state. These projects will remove and dispose of marine debris, include community-focused education and outreach activities, and provide tangible benefits to coastal and marine habitats, communities, and economies across Alaska. Funding for these opportunities was provided through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Marine Debris Program.
Resources for Marine Debris
Alaska Center for Marine Debris
The Alaska Center for Marine Debris is a collaborative effort with Alaska Sea Grant and many partners focused on targeting removal operations and working to serve the identified and emergent needs of the marine debris community across the state, including debris collection, monitoring, analysis, transport, and disposal.
The Center is supporting targeted cleanup activities around the state, providing additional funding to support communities with removal activities, and supporting groups to identify and implement optimal disposal approaches, including recycling and the necessary sorting and processing steps for each recycling technology.
Partners currently include:
Cordova fishermen clean up the Copper River Delta
The Copper River Delta hosts some of the most valuable fisheries in Alaska. However, the region lies at the edge of the Gulf of Alaska, where currents bring a seemingly…
Kotlik project works to clean up and reduce marine waste
Aubrey Taradash and Tom Moran contributed to this story. An old tarp or battery is generally not considered a prize haul. But such was the case in Kotlik, where a…
New community-led marine debris removal projects
Alaska Sea Grant announced six new projects to address marine debris in Alaska. Selected through a competitive funding opportunity for community-led marine debris removal projects, these projects are supported by…
Plastic Free July: Fishermen take action for cleaner coasts
Plastic Free July is a global movement to reduce single-use plastics, much of which end up in streams, rivers, and oceans. In Alaska, we’re partnering with leaders in coastal communities…
Community-Engaged Fellowship spotlight: Joi Gross
Joi Gross, an environmental science undergraduate at the University of Alaska Southeast, is a part of the Alaska Sea Grant Community-Engaged Fellowship (CEF) program for a second consecutive year. Last…
Community-led projects to remove marine debris around Alaska
Alaska Sea Grant, together with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program, is pleased to announce seven recommended marine debris removal projects…
Alaska Clean Harbors program expands with help of Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow
Alaska’s small-boat harbors are vital to the state, supporting tourism, fishing, and cultural activities. The Alaska Clean Harbors program promotes sustainable practices and waste reduction, offering tailored solutions to participating harbors. With new tiered certification, the program adapts to each harbor’s capabilities, ensuring ongoing relevance and effectiveness.
Fellow spotlight: Biz Wallace
For her Alaska Sea Grant State Fellowship, Biz Wallace is working on the Alaska Clean Harbors Program. The voluntary statewide program helps harbormasters, communities and boaters prevent pollution and reduce waste. Wallace is focused on increasing harbor participation, developing a tiered certification system, and public outreach events and activities.
Fellow spotlight: Harmony Wayner
Harmony Wayner is an Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow based in Anchorage and working with the NOAA Marine Debris Program. During the course of her fellowship, Wayner is developing and…
Alaska Sea Grant Director elected Chair of Marine Debris Foundation Board
Alaska Sea Grant director, Ginny Eckert, was elected Chair of the Marine Debris Foundation Board. The nonprofit charitable foundation was authorized by the federal Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, which…
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