![]() ![]() They are commonly used in many items, and as society has developed new uses for them the variety and quantity of plastic items found in the marine environment has increased dramatically. Plastics are one of the most extensive types of marine debris. There are three main types of marine debris that impact wildlife: plastics, derelict fishing gear, and abandoned and derelict vessels. For example, a plastic bag was documented in 2016 by the Okeanos Explorer submersible at Enigma Seamount in the Arc of Fire National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. Marine debris can be found even in the deepest parts of our ocean. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates there are somewhere between 20 million and 1.8 billion pieces of plastic along the coastline of the United States, with the number likely at the upper end of this range. It is believed that at least 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, and make up 80 percent of all marine debris from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Major marine debris events caused by natural disasters, such as the 2017 hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria and 2018 typhoon Yutu, continue to bring national and international attention to the marine debris issue. Anything man-made – such as fishing gear, plastic bags, beverage bottles, balloons, food wrappers, and even vessels – can become marine debris through dumping, improper waste management, litter that is blown or washed out to sea through storm drains, and extreme natural events which can transport both small and large items into the ocean. 1951 et seq., as amended by in 2012 by Title VI of Public Law 112-2 by Public Law 115-265). 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 or Great Lakes” (33 U.S.C. The Service works collaboratively with Federal and non-Federal partners to address marine debris and its impacts on wildlife. Marine debris can injure or kill marine and coastal wildlife damage and degrade habitats interfere with navigational safety cause economic loss to fishing and maritime industries degrade the quality of life in coastal communities and threaten human health and safety. It is an issue of local, regional, national, and international concern. Marine debris is one of the most pervasive global threats to the health of the world’s coastal areas, oceans, and waterways. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) role in addressing the threat of marine debris to our ocean and coastal areas. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss marine debris and its impact on wildlife. Good morning Chair McCollum, Ranking Member Joyce, and members of the Subcommittee. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORīEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES ![]()
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