Pallone Announces Federal NOAA Grant to Rutgers for Marine Debris Prevention and Cleanup

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), a co-chair of the Congressional Coastal Communities Caucus, announced a $57,853 grant to Rutgers University from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to aid New Jersey coastal communities in the fight against marine debris. Specifically, the grant award will be aimed at preventing derelict fishing equipment and other marine debris from ending up in New Jersey coastal waters. The effort will consist of three main objectives: prevention, education and active participation in debris removal. Among other activities, Rutgers will provide recreational crab pot workshops to teach crabbers about local ghost pot removal and how to avoid adding to the ghost fishing problem. They will also hold small scale removals and marine debris community recycling events.

Derelict fishing gear, also known as ghost gear, is discarded or lost fishing gear, such as nets, traps and pots, which continue to fish and trap fish and other marine life. This and other marine debris can kill marine life, smother habitats, create hazards for boater navigation, and negatively impact New Jersey’s commercial and recreational fishing industries.

“This funding to help keep New Jersey’s waterways clean is good news for our coastal communities,” said Congressman Pallone. “Marine debris can be mitigated through education and increased awareness. I am pleased that this grant will provide the opportunity for Rutgers to play an instrumental role in the prevention of the marine debris problem.”

"This project will help to inform the fishing community, educators, students and the general public about the impacts of marine debris on coastal habitats that are so critical to the sustainability of marine and coastal living resources, how they can prevent debris from getting into our coastal waters, and to engage them in the removal of debris such as ghost fishing gear,” said Michael De Luca, Director of Rutgers’ Aquaculture Innovation Center. “Our goal is to prepare citizens to be environmental stewards of New Jersey's marine and coastal resources.”

Following Superstorm Sandy, which left behind large amounts of debris in New Jersey’s coastal waters and its marshes, concern was heightened about the negative impacts of marine debris on the health and safety of New Jersey residents and visitors. Through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was able to partner with NOAA to remove over 250 tons of large marine debris. However, a continued and sustained effort is necessary to prevent additional debris from entering New Jersey’s marine and coastal waters.

Rutgers is one of 13 organizations across the country to receive a grant from this round of funding from NOAA’s Marine Debris Program.