NCCOS Project Explorer (NPE)

Debris Accumulation, Removal, and Impact Assessment in nearshore habitats of eastern North Carolina(2009)

Project Description:
The extent to which ecologically important coastal habitats are exposed to marine debris has not been previously characterized in many areas, including intertidal salt marshes and subtidal habitats in coastal North Carolina intertidal and subtidal habitats and Dry Tortugas, FL coral reef edges. As coastal development increases and recreational use of coastal resources intensifies, it is imperative to assess the extent of marine debris present as well as the impact these materials have on ecologically critical habitats. In NC coastal waters, intertidal salt marshes and subtidal rock ledges, wrecks, and jetties provide important habitat and nursery areas for many commercially and recreationally important fish species. Many salt marshes are incorporated within the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve and NPS Cape Lookout National Seashore. In the Dry Tortugas, FL, coral reefs provide vital ecological function and coral reef edges approaching the mesophotic zone remain relatively unstudied with regard to the relationship between marine debris and marine protected areas. This field portion of our FY07-09 ecological research to characterize and assess the density, accumulation rates, and environmental impacts of debris in various nearshore habitats has concluded. We established a protocol for surveys of marine debris density and of marine debris impacts in intertidal salt marsh communities; these have since been used by the NOAA Marine Debris Program and coastal management agencies. In addition, our field collections reduced marine debris, including monofilament, plastics, and derelict fishing gear in coastal waters. This research was funded by the NOAA Marine Debris Program in FY07 and 08. In NC, this project consists of an ecological component and a human dimensions/social science component. Field research for the ecological component has concluded and data analyses are in progress. We have been investigating the relationship between marine debris density and composition with environmental factors and human use patterns in coastal salt marshes and subtidal habitats near Beaufort using surveys, mapping, and collections. Manipulative experiments to determine the effects of debris upon salt marsh communities are also concluded. The human dimensions component investigates the perceptions of user groups of the same geographic area towards marine debris. The perceptions of recreational users of the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve were surveyed in summer 08 and 09. Contingent upon funding, we plan to survey the perceptions of commercial fishermen regarding marine debris (including derelict fishing gear) causes, environmental impacts, and suggestions for reduction strategies. The survey instrument was approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in late FY 09. In Dry Tortugas, FL, this project investigated the distribution and occurrence of marine debris (primarily derelict fishing gear) in thre

Expected Outcome:
It is expected that this project will meet two strategies of NOAA’s Marine Debris Program: 1) Source Identification, Monitoring, and Research; and 2) Reduction through Removal. The data from our research efforts should allow managers to determine the extent and impacts of marine debris upon their trust resources. In addition, we will provide managers with information from primary human user groups on perceptions of marine debris occurrence, impacts, and suggestions for removal. Our marine debris distribution data should provide information on projected hotspots. These results will guide management agencies in developing an effective marine debris removal program. Our methods and data should serve as a model for an effective removal protocol. This work will produce information necessary for NOAA, specifically the Rachel Carson NERRS and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, to help protect many of its established trust resources, specifically threatened/endangered species, commercially and recreationally important fishes, and salt marsh and reef habitats. This approach will identify and remove marine debris from critical habitat of commercially and recreationally important species. The removal of the debris will not only improve habitat conditions, but will also yield necessary baseline data for a future marine debris monitoring program. The removal of this debris will also improve the experience of recreational divers and boaters that visit these wreck, hard bottom and marsh locations, thus making marine recreational experiences in North Carolina waters more enjoyable. Initial results from FY 2008 show that debris types reflect human uses. Derelict monofilament from hook and line fishing and anchors and line from boating have been found in many subtidal sites at various depths. Commercial derelict fishing gear (e.g. pound nets and poles, clam nets, crab traps) has been documented at marsh sites near commercial fishing areas, whereas marsh sites near residential areas have shown larger amounts of wood used in construct on (e.g. docks, boardwalks), plastic and other debris reflective of recreational use.