Macroplastics
Macroplastics (plastic fragments larger than 5 millimeters) have been found in every marine ecosystem in the sanctuary, including deep in the Monterey Submarine Canyon. Macroplastics cause multiple problems for marine animals, including entanglement and ingestion when mistaken for food, which can lead to digestive blockages, nutrient deprivation, starvation, and death. Plastic does not biodegrade but can break apart into microplastics (plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters), which are found in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary at all depths in the water column.
In 2023, sanctuary staff released a marine debris report that identified prevalent types of macroplastics and their distribution on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary shoreline in order to assess potential sources and transport mechanisms. The data analyzed was collected by five citizen science programs along the entire 276 miles of shoreline over a five-year period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021.
Key Findings of the Report:
- Most trash collected on Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary beaches came from human activities on the land, with more than 50% of trash items tied to smoking, eating, and drinking. Cigarette butts alone made up 23% of items picked up during beach cleanups.
- About 73% of the marine debris on Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary beaches was composed of plastic material, including foam. Plastic fragments, no longer identifiable as an object, made up more than a quarter of all items collected during beach cleanups.
- Marine debris can be reduced or prevented if we take an active role in proper trash disposal and follow best practices to refuse, reduce, reuse, and recycle.
- Beach cleanups and debris tracking have positive impacts and help to prevent marine debris from being transported from beaches to the ocean. More frequent and extensive activities have greater impacts.
The report was developed in partnership with NOAA Marine Debris Program, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project, Ocean Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, Save Our Shores, Downtown Streets Team Santa Cruz, Trash Taxonomy Tool developers, Saber Consulting, and made possible by more than 37,000 citizen science volunteers who contributed to important marine debris data.
Get Involved!
Everyone can make a difference in reducing the amount of trash in the ocean and on beaches. You can do your part by:
- Reducing the amount of trash you produce by reusing or recycling items
- Disposing of trash properly, including cigarette butts
- Recycling or disposing of fishing line properly
- Participating in beach or neighborhood cleanups
The NOAA Marine Debris Program supports national and international efforts to research, prevent, and reduce the impacts of marine debris. This program serves as a centralized capability within NOAA, coordinating and supporting activities within NOAA and with other federal agencies, as well as using partnerships to support projects carried out by state and local agencies, Tribes, non-governmental organizations, academia, and industry.
For more information on addressing marine debris in California, visit:
California Ocean Protection Council’s Ocean Litter Strategy Program
California Coastal Cleanup Day