You can create lasting impact for our ocean and those you care about by establishing and giving from a DAF today. This investment account is designed to make charitable giving an efficient and fiscally-savvy choice for donors. Making a DAF gift is easy and helps Ocean Conservancy continue to unite science, people and policy to inspire global action for our ocean.

What is a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?

A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is an investment account created specifically for individuals to make charitable donations.

Through DAFs, you can contribute money, stocks or other assets and, depending on your DAF provider, you may receive an immediate tax deduction.* Your funds are held with the possibility of growth over time and when you are ready to donate, you can specify an organization, like Ocean Conservancy, to support.

What is DAF Day?

DAF Day is October 9 and was created to showcase the benefits and impact of DAF-giving for charitable organizations and for donors. Now giving from your DAF is easier than ever with options to streamline your giving and inspire others to take action for causes that matter most to them, like protecting our ocean, forever and for everyone.

How can a DAF help support our ocean?

Every second breath we take is made possible by the ocean and life on Earth would be unrecognizable without it. Ocean Conservancy supports evidence-based solutions that protect marine wildlife and clear out toxic plastic pollution.

No matter how close or how far you live from the coast, the ocean touches your life through weather, recreation, nutrition and more. Using your DAF to support the ocean is one way you can share your love for this vital aspect of our world and safeguard it for generations to come. Giving a DAF donation can help shape a healthier ocean. When you select Ocean Conservancy for your DAF, you are supporting bold action for a thriving ocean. The research, advocacy and actions that can protect ocean biodiversity and address rising ocean temperatures.

We all have a stake in the health of our ocean, and now it is easier than ever to contribute using your DAF. Consider taking time on October 9 to give a gift from your DAF to support the work of Ocean Conservancy and a brighter future for the ocean we share.

Together, we can leave the ocean cleaner and healthier for tomorrow.

If you don’t have a DAF, there are other great ways to support ocean protection, and every gift helps keep our ocean healthy and thriving.

• Donate stocks of appreciated securities: Give in a tax-smart way and maximize your impact.
• Make a gift from your IRA (if 70 ½ or older): Satisfy your annual required minimum distribution with a gift for the ocean.
• Include Ocean Conservancy in your estate plans: Leave a lasting legacy for the ocean.
• Looking for something else? See all ways to give here.

*Please consult your financial or tax advisor about tax benefits associated with your gift.

The post What is a DAF and How Can it Support the Ocean? appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

Partners and community members representing all facets of Sitka took time away from their days to clear plastic waste and other trash from this incredible shoreline. I’m grateful I could share this vibrant town and its rich cultural heritage with my family for the 40th International Coastal Cleanup® (ICC).

Community connections and a legacy of service are at the heart of each cleanup. Just as my father sparked my love of marine life, Kathy O’Hara, ICC co-founder, was inspired by her grandfather’s love of the ocean to start the yearly beach cleanup along the Texas Gulf Coast that would eventually become the ICC. 

Tracing the impact of cleanups around the world

From the very beginning, founders Kathy O’Hara and Linda Maraniss knew data was an important part of the process. Over the last 40 years, we’ve evolved from paper cards to Clean Swell®, an app that connects users around the world to Ocean Conservancy’s global marine debris database.

The ICC has blossomed from a handful of volunteers in a few locations to nearly 19 million volunteers around the world conducting cleanups year-round. 

Over the years, I’ve fielded a familiar question: Does cleaning our beaches really make a difference? The answer is a resounding yes. Yet, there are times that test our resolve, like proposed cuts to vital research funding for fisheries and rollbacks on crucial ocean protection laws. In those moments, I remember that not only are we making our local shoreline safer, healthier and more beautiful—we’re also collecting vital data that we publish every year in one of the longest running continuous datasets of ocean debris available. This data helps us identify—and solve—the biggest challenges facing our ocean. 

Thanks to the dedicated Coordinator Network, millions of volunteers and Ocean Conservancy staff, we are able to publish an annual ICC report that is changing mindsets and legislation in favor of cleaner coasts.

Our ICC collection research report, “What The Foam?!”, provided fuel for the introduction of the Farewell to Foam Act, which would phase out single-use plastic foam such as food containers, coolers, and packing peanuts nationwide.

Since 1986, volunteers have counted, collected and removed more than 400 million pounds of plastics and other debris from our coastlines and waterways through the ICC. 

We hope that one day, cleanups will no longer be necessary, but today, we know we are making an immediate difference for our ocean. By finding and removing plastics, protecting rare species like the pocket shark found in the Gulf of Mexico and threatened coastal species like the  Florida manatee, Ocean Conservancy is taking an all-hands-on-deck approach to our work.

Small actions can make big ripples

Another aspect of the ICC that keeps me inspired is the stories and connections made between the dedicated Coordinators who manage cleanups throughout the year.

One story that struck a chord with me was about a cleanup where volunteers collected hundreds of cigarette butts. The cleanup coordinator brought those buckets and buckets of cigarette waste to the local city hall—and as a result the city voted to ban smoking on that beach, significantly reducing the number of cigarettes polluting the shoreline. 

A day spent cleaning on the coast ripples out far beyond the beach and the community where the event takes place. I can say with confidence that every piece of plastic, rubber and metal removed helps to build physical evidence, research and public support with measurable benefits for our ocean.

Our work would not be possible without you

I am full of gratitude for each and every person who has cleaned up a local shoreline, waterway or city street; spread the word about a cleanup or recorded their impact in Clean Swell®. 

Whether you attended your first cleanup this year, volunteered for the last 40 or decided to start your own local cleanup, your contribution is deeply appreciated by all of us at Ocean Conservancy. 

We invite you to join a cleanup near you or start one of your own. There are so many ways to support our ocean, and whatever way you choose, we hope you will join us for the next 40 years of impact. 

The post 40 Years of Cleaner Beaches Powered by People and Community appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

NOAA Fisheries is the key part of NOAA responsible for the stewardship of the nation’s ocean resources and their habitats, including in more than 4 million square miles of ocean in the U.S. exclusive economic zone. Using a science-based approach, NOAA Fisheries provides services that all Americans can benefit from, including productive and sustainable fisheries, safe seafood, healthy coastal and ocean ecosystems and the conservation and recovery of protected resources like marine mammals, sea turtles, corals and salmon.

Under NOAA Fisheries, America has been a global leader in managing our fisheries and ocean resources sustainably. Historically, Congress has provided broad support to fund the science-based management system that is a hallmark of our success. The cuts proposed in the House budget would devastate NOAA Fisheries at a time whenchallenges like climate change and economic headwinds for fishing communities are making fishery management more complicated than ever. We saw a preview of the effects that cuts could have earlier this year when fishermen were unable to fish because disruptions to staffing and regulatory delays at NOAA Fisheries left the agency unable to open some fishing seasons. To manage fisheries effectively and allow fishermen the best fishing opportunity, NOAA Fisheries needs robust funding.

As we’ve previously noted, the President’s Budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), if passed as-is, would be a disaster for our ocean and the millions of Americans across the country who rely on NOAA’s services every day. That is why it is striking that the cuts to NOAA Fisheries in the House proposal often go beyond those proposed in the President’s Budget. The House funding proposal’s total for NOAA Fisheries is just $686 million—a stunningly low number. In contrast, the Senate proposal keeps the NOAA Fisheries budget roughly flat with previous years at $1.1 billion. All of these proposed cuts are happening amid other funding challenges for NOAA—from administrative funding claw-backs to delayed contracts and grants—that are already limiting the ability of NOAA and its partners to achieve the mission. 

Some of the biggest cuts to NOAA Fisheries in the House proposal include:  

• Cuts to science: A 42% cut in funding for fisheries science, including surveys and fish stock assessments. These scientific activities are critical for providing information on the status of fish stocks and for informing sustainable levels of fisheries catch. 
• Cuts to sustainable and accountable management: Actions to prevent overfishing and rebuild overfished stocks are an essential reason why U.S. fisheries are some of the most sustainably managed in the world. The portion of the budget to carry out these management actions would be cut by 44%, along with funding that supports the adoption of innovative technologies to monitor and report catch, reduce bycatch through improvements in fishing gear and ensure seafood safety and quality for American consumers.   
• Cuts to habitat protection: A 38% cut for NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation and Restoration. This faction of NOAA protects and restores habitats in order to sustain fisheries, support protected species and maintain resilient coastal ecosystems and communities.   
• Cuts to marine species protection: A 55% cut in funding that conserves and protects marine mammals and other species (sea turtles, salmon and corals, to name a few) and their ecosystems, including in partnership with states and others.

To achieve its mission, NOAA Fisheries works with countless partners: states, Tribes, the regional fishery management councils, local communities, academic institutions and others. Much of the funding that comes into NOAA Fisheries helps support the work of these partners. NOAA Fisheries also has a presence across the country, with five regional offices, six science centers and more than 20 laboratories around the U.S. The cuts proposed in the House bill would reverberate around the nation, affecting these partners, local communities and places with NOAA facilities.  

All Americans, but especially fishermen and fishing communities, have so much to lose from these cuts. Fishing is an economic driving force in many coastal communities, but it depends on having abundant fish, well-managed fisheries and healthy habitats. History shows that investing in NOAA Fisheries’ science and management pays dividends towards supporting fishing and the seafood industry, which created 2.3 million jobs and more than $321 billion in sales impacts in 2022. We know what it looks like when weakened management results in overfishing, tanking fish stocks and collapsing fisheries—communities suffer.

Thankfully, the House bill is just a proposal. Ultimately, the full House must pass the NOAA budget, and the House and Senate must come to an agreement, so there is still a chance for Congress to reject these harmful cuts to NOAA Fisheries. Take action now and call on Congress to ensure NOAA is fully funded in the FY26 budget.

The post House Budget Proposal for NOAA Would Spell Disaster for Fisheries appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

“I want to encourage people to start where they are. Start with your friends, your church group, your classroom”, Nayyir shared.

Nayyir started advocacy work when they were young, joining the Campfire Youth Legislature as a seventh-grade student in Broadmoor Middle School in East Baton Rouge Parish School System, a school that was closed in 2019. “I was one of the youngest people in the room. The bill that I proposed didn’t even make it out of committee. So, when it was time to come together on the floor and vote on all the bills that came out of committee, I decided that I was going to speak on every single bill that hit the floor, literally, all of them. I ended up winning Outstanding Legislator that year. This honor is given only to one legislator out of almost 500 young people from across the state. I still have the medal. I keep it on my desk lamp with all my other conference tags and medals. It reminds me how much impact a person simply speaking up can have. Whether or not the vote goes your way at that moment, someone is still listening.”

Nayyir got involved in Youth Legislature at a time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when many students were feeling unheard, anxious and facing physical displacement after Hurricane Katrina.

Remembering the day Hurricane Katrina landed

On August 29th, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans. At least 1,900 people were killed in the storm and, due to medical and infrastructure complications, post-storm. The devastation of one of the deadliest hurricane seasons in United States history forced 650,000 survivors from their homes—some were never able to return.

“We were out of school for two weeks. Compared to New Orleans where many schools closed for months and others shut their doors permanently, this felt like a privilege. When we went back to school, there were 200 more students in the building. Many families from New Orleans were forced to move to temporary housing in Baton Rouge. Our school was one of many that saw a large influx of students from New Orleans where many schools were unable to reopen due to Katrina. There wasn’t enough space, services or support to handle that, and it became a tense environment for all of us.”

Nayyir’s family moved to Baton Rouge just one year before the storm. Coming from Philadelphia, one of the largest metropolitan cities in the country, Nayyir experienced an intense culture shock when adjusting to life in open-air, sea-centric Southern Louisiana. Nayyir reflected on the contrast of towering buildings and lightning-fast train transport to kids catching mudbugs from the crawfish mounds in the drainage ditches, designed to channel storm water, along roads without sidewalks.

“When I started participating in Camp Fire USA’s Youth Legislature program, I felt intimidated. It was a strange experience, grappling with my own sense of displacement while watching other kids being displaced on such a large scale due to Hurricane Katrina. I wasn’t from the area, but I was there, and I did understand how it felt to be pushed out, to feel discarded.”

New Orleans has a culture unlike any other place in the world, and this rich weaving of languages, ethnicities and histories creates an unshakable strength that still stands today. Yet, the crippling impacts of Hurricane Katrina can be traced through the yet-to-be-rebuilt homes in the Lower Ninth Ward and the reality of long-term health consequences and economic instability for many residents, even now, 20 years after the storm.

Hurricane detection is better than ever, thanks to NOAA

In 2005, the best hurricane detection science provided around a 48-hour warning. The people of New Orleans had less than 24 hours from the time the mandatory evacuation order was issued to when water began to spill over one of the levees.

When Hurricane Katrina developed into a Category 3 storm, receded and then reformed as a Category 5 storm, scientists, local officials and communities scrambled to keep up and spread information quickly.

“We didn’t know what was happening in New Orleans for three days. People with friends and family there were starting to panic.”

Now, thanks to the steady, decades-long efforts of organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), current predictive technologies can provide up to five days warning of extreme weather—enough time potentially to prevent storms from having the same catastrophic impact as Katrina. Yet, the question remains, ”Will we continue funding the  hurricane forecasting systems we know are protecting our communities?”

Understanding NOAA’s vital role during storm season

It might not be clear what NOAA does during hurricane season because much of their work is behind the scenes. The National Weather Service sits under NOAA, and NOAA scientists and professionals are key players in many of the long-term conservation measures, research and technology that prevent the most dire consequences of extreme weather. Their work includes projects that we may not think of as disaster preparedness and resilience, such as coastal restoration initiatives.

NOAA uses a variety of scientific instruments on crafts such as planes, saildrones and gliders to gather data from inside hurricanes. Long term ocean observations contribute to hurricane and weather models. This hurricane season we have an opportunity to speak up about the proposed cuts to NOAA and the vital resources we would lose if these budget changes are approved by Congress. Continuing to fund NOAA is one way to ensure ongoing improvements to weather forecasting, honor those lost to Hurricane Katrina and, in the aftermath, support the people of New Orleans today, as they rebuild and heal.

We can all speak up for life-saving hurricane detection and research

As storm seasons intensify, we need faster, more accurate weather prediction and storm detection more than ever. NOAA is America’s first line of defense against the deadliest impacts of natural disasters on our communities. Yet, NOAA’s funding is facing major cuts that, if enacted, will result in lives lost. We need to keep moving forward keeping in mind and heart the nearly 2,000 people who lost their lives during Katrina, the thousands more New Orleanians who lost their land and legacies, and the hundreds of thousands of people who are impacted by deadly storms in the United States each year.

Looking back, Nayyir can see how these experiences growing up in post-Katrina Louisiana shaped their advocacy and approach to community organizing.

“My time in Southeast Louisiana taught me a lot about people-centered advocacy. Even if we haven’t experienced something at its most extreme, we can find a way to understand the root of it by looking at our lives and the places we live. Ocean Conservancy has helped me to grow in how and why we must work across government agencies and lines to protect our ocean and the people who rely on it.”

Ocean Conservancy works alongside NOAA as a science-led advocacy organization mobilizing federal, state and local action for our ocean. Every investment in NOAA translates into vital seconds, hours and days of response time for communities when hurricane season strikes. The more data we can collect and use to predict the behavior and patterns of storms, the better we can respond and prevent tragedies.

Each year, storm season is intensifying from climate change—and not just on our coasts. Communities throughout the U.S. are affected by hurricanes and floods that threaten lives and livelihoods. We all rely on NOAA’s vital research and tools for weather prediction and extreme weather warnings. These services are a lifeline we cannot afford to lose.

Call on your Congress members today and insist they support full funding and operation of NOAA.

The post Honoring New Orleans 20 Years After Hurricane Katrina Means Protecting NOAA appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

Over the past year-plus, scientists have made significant strides in understanding the scope, impact and potential solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis, and we’ve gathered them here by theme. Let’s dive in!

Where it comes from and where it’s going

Increasingly, scientists recognize plastics as a planetary-scale pollutant, disrupting key Earth systems including biodiversity, terrestrial, freshwater and marine health. Researchers are now identifying specific areas where plastic accumulation—and therefore, risk—may be greatest. A long-term study published last year showed that more than 70% of macroplastics released into rivers remain near their source, often trapped by floating vegetation which can hold plastic concentrations nearly 200 times higher than surrounding waters. These accumulations have led to the formation of so-called “river garbage patches,” some with plastic levels exceeding those found in the North Pacific Gyre.

Meanwhile, modelling efforts have expanded to estimate plastic concentrations in ecosystems beyond the ocean surface, including in the atmosphere, below the ocean surface, in inland waterways and in marine animals. Estimates published last year suggest that 3 to 11 million metric tons of plastic now reside on the ocean floor—up to 100 times more than at the surface—threatening deep-sea ecosystems vital to climate regulation. Coastal convergence zones—coastal waters wherecurrents and wind cause water from different areas to meet—were also recently found to be microplastic hotspots. These hotspots included more than 1,800 marine protected areas identified as under significant stress from microplastic pollution.

Human health and micro /nanoplastics

Recent research has further informed estimates of human exposure to micro- and nano- plastics through both diet and inhalation. One study co-authored by Ocean Conservancy found microplastics in nearly 90% of protein products tested—including beef, chicken, pork and plant-based samples. From this, we estimated that the average adult in the United States could ingest up to 3.8 million plastic particles annually from proteins alone. Drinks, dairy products and other non-protein food sources also serve as ingestion pathways.

But we don’t just eat plastics. A new study estimated that globally, adults breathe in an average of 1,355 plastic particles daily, or roughly 500,000 particles a year. From 1990 to 2018, researchers estimate human dietary and airborne microplastic exposure increased more than sixfold in some parts of the world, underscoring growing global concern.

Plastic particles have now been found throughout the human body in arteries, stomach tissue, brains and reproductive systems, raising serious health concerns. One study published this year found that roughly 25% of the 16,325 chemicals associated with plastics are considered hazardous.” More worrisome is that the vast majority chemicals used in plastics remain unregulated and understudied. The health consequences are not only physiological but economic: In 2018 alone, plastic-related diseases cost the United States an estimated $249 billion, largely from exposure to plastic-associated chemicals as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).

What we can do about it

As our knowledge about the extent and impacts of plastic pollution grows, so does public concern. An Ocean Conservancy-led study published last year found that in the United States, plastic pollution is seen as the greatest threat to the ocean, and there is strong public support for policies to solve this problem by holding plastic producers accountable.

Experts agree that solving the plastic crisis requires a full lifecycle approach and multinational collaboration, with one study showing that implementing four global interventions—a 40% recycled content mandate; a 2020 virgin production cap; a $50 billion investment in waste management infrastructure; and a plastic packaging tax—could reduce mismanaged plastic waste by 91% and plastic-related GHG emissions by one-third by 2050.

Policy momentum is building, with an increasing number of studies investigating the efficacy of actions addressing not just waste management but also upstream production and consumption. One 2025 study looking at data from Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup found that plastic bag bans and fees meaningfully reduce the relative amount of bags in beach litter by 25% to 47% in the United States, while a 2024 study estimated that a U.S. national deposit return scheme could significantly boost recycling rates for PET bottles from 24% to 82%. To support better decision-making and community action, science-backed tools such as the Circularity Assessment Protocol (CAP) have been developed to map waste flows and identify points for intervention.

Join us

While there is still a lot to learn, we know enough to act now. Here is how you can join the fight: 

• Push for policy change: Advocate for legislation to address plastic pollution by holding corporations accountable for the waste they create, expanding support for reuse and refill systems and much more. See how your state stacks up in efforts to tackle plastic pollution, and then visit Ocean Conservancy’s Action Center to see how you can get involved.
• Reduce plastic use: To tackle our plastic pollution crisis, we need to use less plastic. We can each do our part by avoiding single-use plastics where possible in our daily lives, from carrying a reusable water bottle and bag to skipping the straw. These small actions add up and collectively reduce the amount of plastic waste we create, while sending a clear signal to plastic producers that we are fed up with single-use plastics. 
• Clean up plastic pollution before it enters the ocean: Cleaning up plastic waste, whether on the beach, along a river, or in your neighborhood park, reduces the likelihood that it will later be consumed by marine life. One of the best ways to do this is by joining the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). Use our map to find a coordinator planning a cleanup in your region. Want something closer to home? Team up with friends and family to clean up your favorite beach or beloved park. If you see plastics on beaches, shores or elsewhere, remember to clean them up and log what you found in our Clean Swell® app.

The post What is the Science Behind Plastic Pollution? appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

Two decades ago, I was researching these magnificent animals in the crystal-clear waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) at the School for Field Studies. Each day, we’d take our research boats out in hopes of tagging juvenile lemon sharks to better understand their movements, site fidelity and nursing habitats in the shallow waters surrounding South Caicos. Every interaction with these animals was exhilarating, and quite often we’d get the bonus of spotting or tagging other species like bonnethead sharks, Caribbean reef sharks and even the awe-inspiring tiger shark—my personal favorite!

While out on shark patrol one Sunday afternoon along the eastern reef of South Caicos, I first encountered plastic pollution on a magnitude I had never previously seen. Due to the steep cliffs that backed the beach and the shallow reefs that protected it seaward, piles of plastics and debris that drifted over the reef and onto the sand remained stranded. And with little to no human access to these beaches in the early 2000s, the accumulations grew with each passing day.

Sharks are increasingly threatened by plastic pollution, primarily through entanglement and ingestion. At least 34 species have been reported entangled in plastic debris, although actual numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting. The most common item causing entanglement is abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (also known as “ghost gear”), though plastic strapping bands also pose a major risk. Looped plastics like strapping bands can constrict sharks, interfering with feeding and breathing.

Sharks are at risk from eating plastics, too. Plastic bags, plastic packets and even a boot have been found inside shark stomachs. And scientists believe microplastics may pose a particular risk to filter-feeding species like whale sharks, although hundreds to thousands of microplastics have been documented inside individual tiger and hammerhead sharks as well. There is still much more to learn and understand about the interactions and effects of plastics on sharks, but what is known raises concerns about the long-term impacts of plastic ingestion on shark health and ocean health more broadly.

It was on that same reef in South Caicos in 2006, during a break from shark patrol and long before joining Ocean Conservancy where I first participated in the International Coastal Cleanup® (ICC). And like the millions of ICC volunteers around the world who participate each year, I too collected data on every item I picked up. And with each item, I was more and more curious, asking the questions: “Where did these plastics come from? “How the heck did they end up here?” and “This can’t be good for ocean animals, can it?”

I would later learn that the piles of debris that littered that stretch of coast came from all over the Caribbean. This was also my first glimpse of how the brands and languages on plastics provide valuable information to trace where trash comes from, an approach I still use to this day in fieldwork around the world. Further, it showcased the interconnectedness of the waters and people throughout the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean.

These early, formative encounters with ocean plastics have stuck with me over the past 20 years, as have the sights of sharks effortlessly navigating their natural environments in those TCI waters. It is something that is forever lodged in my memory, something I never forget or tire of. Sharks have existed in our ocean for more than 400 million years, and over this time, they have perfected every aspect of their design. However, sharks were never meant to contend with the plastic pollution that now overwhelms every dimension of their marine environment.

Today, the most harrowing fact this Shark Week is that the plight of sharks has never been greater. And the scariest thing in the ocean isn’t a shark, it’s plastic pollution. Join Ocean Conservancy for Plastic Free July and beyond and call on your elected leaders to phase out wasteful, harmful single-use plastics.

The post How are Sharks Affected by Plastic Pollution? appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to solving the plastic pollution crisis. In addition to preventative actions like reducing plastic production and improving waste management systems, cleanups play a valuable role—and the greatest impacts to reduce plastic pollution will be achieved when all three of these strategies happen together. With Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup^® (ICC) season fast approaching, there’s no better time to remind ourselves of the positive impact of cleanup efforts around the world.

The scopes, types and sizes of cleanups vary widely. The ICC focuses on global-scale, human-powered, volunteer-led events that can range from just a couple of people picking up trash in their local park or beach to large groups of hundreds of people coming together for an event. Other types of cleanups, such as those used by groups in the International Trash Trap Network (ITTN), rely on a variety of cleanup technologies that can capture debris 24 hours a day. The ITTN is a global network of local groups working together to increase plastic pollution cleanup efforts using trash traps. Through each trash trap program, local stakeholders come together to clean up plastic pollution, engage and inform communities about the issue, and collect harmonized data to inform, empower and motivate upstream solutions to prevent future plastic pollution.

Cleanup technologies like trash traps also come in lots of different shapes and sizes. One of the key benefits of employing these devices is that they can be used to support volunteer-powered cleanups by accessing areas that are unsafe or inaccessible for humans. Some trash traps are also designed to clean up small plastic waste, such as microplastics, that manual cleanups often miss as they are difficult to see and pick up by hand. As all types of cleanups remove harmful debris (including plastics) from the environment, they all have value and make a positive contribution to the health of our ocean and our planet.

Up to 23 million metric tons of plastic waste are estimated to enter global aquatic ecosystems annually. This massive amount is expected to more than double by 2030 if we don’t change our relationship with plastic. Plastic waste persists for many years and breaks apart over time, eventually forming smaller and smaller pieces such as microplastics and nanoplastics that are notoriously difficult, if not impossible, to remove once they reach waterways, coasts or the ocean.

The impacts of plastic pollution on ocean animals are widespread. To date, roughly 1,300 ocean species have been documented to ingest plastic. In particular, all seven species of sea turtles are known to ingest or become entangled in plastic, and more than half of marine mammal species, including whales and seals, also ingest plastic debris. Cleanups are necessary to reduce these animals’ chances of ingesting plastic which harms, or even kills, them.

By collecting data on the debris we collect, we can better understand local pollution sources which helps inform and prioritize specific solutions. We have seen this firsthand with ICC data that records counts, weights and categories of items removed. In 2022, data collected during the ICC were used to highlight the presence of single-use plastics in the environment, informing successful legislation in California (Senate Bill 54), creating targets for reducing single-use plastic, increasing recycling and improving recyclability of packaging and plastic foodware.

Cleanup data can also identify and trends in pollution over time and measure the effectiveness of specific policies aimed at reducing that pollution. For example, a trash trap in Baltimore named Mr. Trash Wheel captures and diverts plastic waste before it reaches the Baltimore Harbor. Each time Mr. Trash Wheel is emptied, data are collected on the weight and count of items it has retrieved. When polystyrene foam items were found in high numbers in Mr. Trash Wheel, activists used those data to inform a ban, passed in 2019, on disposable polystyrene foam products in Baltimore. In the next year, data from Mr. Trash Wheel revealed that foam containers had decreased by more than 80% in the harbor! By using data locally and sharing it through public platforms like Ocean Conservancy’s global database, TIDES, it be used by many groups for different needs, including scientific research and motivating policy change. To date, ICC data has been used in more than 40 published scientific studies and has been cited by more than 250 papers. In addition, these data have served as the backbone of policies enacted by governments throughout the world.

Cleanups are also a great way to create community and inspire hope by gathering with others who share the same passion. Involvement in cleanup efforts allows individuals to encounter the problems caused by plastic pollution firsthand, and often this experience empowers people to call for upstream solutions.

Cleaning up is a longstanding practice in many communities worldwide. By continuing cleanup efforts around the world and using them for both data collection and community education, we can reduce the impacts of existing plastic pollution while supporting other strategies to prevent it in the future. Alongside cleanups, Ocean Conservancy is working hard to keep plastics out of our ocean by pushing for policies to produce and use fewer plastics and improve the collection and management of the plastics we do use. It’s clear there’s much more work to be done to protect our ocean, and it will take all of us to tackle this issue through both individual action to reduce plastic pollution and using our voices to support policies that will drive the change we need—at the local, state and national levels.

Be sure to join Ocean Conservancy this September for the 40^th ICC this year and other events all year round. Find an International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) event near you, download the Clean Swell^® app to record the trash you collect, and take action for a cleaner ocean and healthier planet.

The post Do Beach Cleanups Really Work? appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

From producing weather reports and tracking severe storms, supporting safe and efficient maritime navigation and ensuring fish and shellfish are safe to eat, to providing commercial, subsistence and recreational fishing opportunities and protecting marine mammals and endangered species, NOAA provides critical services that impact us every day.

At a high level, the President’s FY26 budget proposes to cut $1.8 billion from NOAA’s topline funding—more than a quarter of the total amount. The budget proposal also calls for the complete elimination of programs, labs and cooperative institutes that provide essential services, including:

• Complete elimination of the research line office of NOAA, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR): OAR provides the cutting-edge research that helps power all the other services NOAA provides. This includes the modeling capabilities for timely and accurate forecasts that are crucial to protecting lives and property. OAR also works to improve understanding of global weather systems and hazards, such as red tides. This research helps ensure safe boat trips and plentiful seafood, benefitting fisheries, aquaculture, coastal economies and communities.

• Elimination of research labs and cooperative institutes: By eliminating OAR, the budget would also eliminate its many laboratories that work in partnership with local universities and research institutions to produce research that advances our understanding of the ocean, climate, weather and more. Cutting this research will not only slow progress on the delivery of services and products, but it will also destroy locally important centers of learning and undermine the strength of the United States as a science leader.

• Elimination of the Sea Grant Program:  This 50-year-old federal-state partnership program focuses on unleashing the economic power of our coastal states and fisheries. Each federal dollar invested in Sea Grant and its 34 programs in coastal and Great Lakes states yielded $8.81 in economic benefit in 2023.

• Eliminating the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS): This widely used network provides real-time observations of ocean conditions, ensuring safe fishing and shipping, enhancing emergency response and producing observational data for weather forecasting. These observations are also critical for tracking harmful algal blooms.  

• Elimination of the National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRs): The administration has proposed defunding coastal reserves that draw millions of tourists to local communities, protect 1.4 million acres of wildlife habitat, support major fisheries and local fishing communities and generate millions of dollars in revenue. There are 30 NERRs across 23 states and Puerto Rico.

• Elimination of critical programs that support our nation’s fisheries: The administration has proposed eliminating NOAA’s Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, the Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery Fund and interjurisdictional fisheries grants. These eliminations will undercut the nation’s ability to manage and conserve coastal habitats that support fisheries and will impact our ability to manage and protect iconic Pacific Salmon and Steelhead populations.

The list above is comprised only of services that the administration has proposed to eliminate completely. Additional cuts, coupled with a 17% reduction in staff, will reduce NOAA’s services across the board, leaving it unable to help us safely put fish on the table, move goods across the country and go about our daily lives.

We need NOAA to be fully funded and fully staffed. We should be looking for ways to grow and improve these services, not leaving communities and businesses without critical resources that they need.

The good news is that this is just a proposal. It is now up to Congress to pass spending bills that keep these essential NOAA programs and services funded and staffed. For the safety of all Americans and for the health of our ocean, marine wildlife and coastal economies Congress must reject these harmful cuts to NOAA. Join Ocean Conservancy in taking action to safeguard NOAA now.

The post How the Proposed Federal Budget Cuts Threaten Our Ocean appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

Local Leadership

Local governments, such as cities and counties, have long been leaders in the fight against plastic pollution, stepping up to help phase out some of the most problematic types of plastic making their way into our ocean—and this year is no exception.

In Florida, Ocean Conservancy worked alongside partners to support a resolution in Miami-Dade County to eliminate single-use plastics and plastic foam (colloquially called “Styrofoam”) from county facilities, including large public areas such as Miami International Airport, Port of Miami and county parks. Miami-Dade County and its communities produce over 5 million tons of waste annually, more than any other county in the state. This policy will help reduce waste and is a powerful reminder of how local action can have a major impact on our ocean and waterways.

In California, Santa Cruz County has also made major headway by passing a first-of-its-kind sales ban on all filtered tobacco products. This would mean phasing out cigarettes with filters (or “cigarette butts”), which are the most common item polluting our beaches and waters as found annually by Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup® volunteers. Not only do cigarette butts release dangerous microplastics, but they also leach chemicals into the environment that are harmful to sensitive marine ecosystems. A 2023 report from the nearby Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary found that cigarette butts accounted for 23% of items collected on the sanctuary’s beaches. If this ban goes into effect in Santa Cruz County, it will have major benefits on the surrounding marine ecosystems and could inspire other local governments to take action.

Statewide Successes

This past year was packed with action on the state level to reduce plastic pollution at the source and hold plastic and packaging producers accountable for the waste they create. Oregon and California both passed “better bag bans” (SB 551 and SB 1053, respectively). These laws established new gold standards for bag bans by finally getting rid of all plastic bags at check-out, including thicker plastic bags that had previously been allowed under the guise that they were “reusable.” It’s estimated that Americans use 100 billion plastic grocery bags annually, and recent analysis by Ocean Conservancy found that plastic bag bans are effective at reducing plastic bag pollution. Not only will these laws help reduce plastic use and plastic pollution in these states, but they also show continued momentum in efforts to tackle problematic single-use plastics.

On the East Coast, Vermont tackled a different type of plastic pollution by passing a law to address pollution from plastic foam docks by requiring that they be designed in a way that prevents the plastic foam from being released into the environment (S 213). Plastic foam (also known as expanded polystyrene) is used for buoys, docks and other floating structures. Left unencapsulated, this foam gradually breaks down into microplastics that directly enter the surrounding marine environment, devastating the ecosystems and wildlife. Vermont’s new law is a commonsense approach to keeping plastic foam pollution out of the environment.

In just the last couple of months, two more states, Washington and Maryland, passed laws to establish extended producer responsibility (EPR)  for packaging (SB 5284, SB 901, respectively). These EPR programs hold producers of plastic and other packaging financially accountable for the waste created by their products while decreasing waste and increasing reuse and recycling. Not only does EPR save households and local governments money, but it also brings producers together to achieve better environmental outcomes. With these two new laws, there are now seven states across the country that have established EPR for packaging in the last four years. Once these laws are implemented, one in five Americans will be covered by an EPR program, resulting in significantly less pollution in our ocean.

What can you do?

While progress this year to tackle plastic pollution has been exciting, the reality is that there is much more work to be done throughout every level of government to address this crisis. The U.S. ranks as high as third when it comes to countries contributing to ocean plastic pollution—an important reminder that we need solutions here at home. Solving this crisis will take all of us collectively to come together. As we continue through the rest of 2025, we encourage you to:

•  Take action with Ocean Conservancy by reaching out to your state and federal representatives to ask them to take action on plastic pollution—this takes under two minutes and is a powerful tool for creating change.
• Join a cleanup: As we celebrate the 40^th year of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, it’s more important than ever to help protect communities and wildlife in your area by cleaning up pollution and recording what you find through our Clean Swell app.
• Learn more about policy tools to help solve the plastics crisis through Ocean Conservancy’s Plastics Policy 101 report.

The post U.S. Progress on Tackling Plastic Pollution appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.

I am thrilled to announce the winners of Ocean Conservancy’s 2025 Photo Contest.

Judge’s Choice Winner

The Art of Survival by Rickie Andrés Ballesteros Guerrero

From the Photographer:
“A blue-footed booby from the Galapagos Islands breaks the ocean’s surface in a swift and precise flight. With its wings spread and eyes focused, it catches a gleaming fish in its beak. The water splashes around it in a fleeting but powerful scene of the natural balance between predator and prey.”

What our Judges had to say:
“A moment frozen in time – this one stopped me in my tracks. A brief beat in the natural world, captured spectacularly.” – Pier Nirandara, 2025 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge

“An excellent photo of feeding and fighting for survival. The composition, light and action are perfectly captured. A great job by the photographer who patiently waited for the right moment to shoot. Great work.” –  Mariano Rodríguez, 2025 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge

“This is a standout capture of a decisive moment. The image is sharp, emotional and dynamic. You can feel the energy of the hunt. It’s the kind of photo that brings nature’s raw beauty front and center—and reminds us of the power and grace within every species.” –  Angela J. Farmer, 2025 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge

“A fantastic shot. He shot fast enough to freeze the exact moment. Lighting is good and also post processing. Love it.” – Joaquín Fregoni, 2025 Ocean Conservancy Photo Contest Judge

Staff Choice Winner

Sunset Whale Tail in Front of Eagle Glacier by Harvey Hergett
Follow Harvey on Instagram

From the Photographer:
“On the last whale watching trip of the summer with Jayleen’s Alaska, as the sun was setting on a perfect September day in Alaska, she positioned the boat perfectly in front of Eagle Glacier to capture this humpback whale who was playfully tail and fin slapping.“

What our staff had to say:
“I recognized this beautiful spot outside of Juneau right away! One of the things I love about Alaska is that there is always magic if you know where and how to look for it. Thank you for sharing this little slice of my home.” – Mike Levine, Senior Director, Alaska Programs

People’s Choice Winner

Manatee Love! by Paige Taggart

From the Photographer:
“This was taken in Crystal River, Florida when a curious juvenile manatee was investigating me while I was snorkeling the springs.”

What our staff had to say:
“Manatees have a special place in every Floridian’s heart, and anybody who’s ever visited the Sunshine State and seen these gentle giants up close and personally can attest to their awesomeness. With their round bodies and curious personalities, they perfectly embody the uniqueness of the Floridian environment and remind us of how important it is to protect our special and beloved ocean and coasts.” – J.P. Brooker, Director, Florida Conservation

We’d like to extend our deepest thanks to all who participated, voted, shared and submitted photos—you truly made this year’s contest a success. And a very special thank you to our judges: Angela J. Farmer, Joaquín Fregoni, Pier Nirandara and Mariano Rodríguez for lending their expert eyes to evaluating our finalists and determining our grand prize winner. Learn more about our judges here.

Congratulations to ALL our entrants, and we hope to see you next year.

The post Introducing Ocean Conservancy’s 2025 Photo Contest Winners appeared first on Ocean Conservancy.