Marine Debris Reauthorization Act

The Marine Debris Act Amendments (H.R. 1171) reauthorized and amended the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act. NOAA's Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Program will be replaced with a “Marine Debris Program” to identify, determine sources of, assess, prevent, reduce, and remove marine debris and its adverse impacts on the U.S. economy, the marine environment, and navigation safety. The Program is also revised to require that NOAA provide national and regional coordination to assist states, tribes, and regional organizations in the identification, determination of sources, assessment, prevention, reduction, and removal of marine debris. President Barack Obama signed the Marine Debris Act Amendments (Farr - H.R. 1171) into law on December 20, 2012 as part of the Coast Guard Maritime Transportation Act (H.R. 2838). This victory addresses plastic ocean pollution on a national level and adds to our 20 local victories for the Rise Above Plastics program in 2012. Surfrider Foundation is pleased to see that the issue of plastic pollution is being highlighted on the national stage and will continue to push for more meaningful measures to Rise Above Plastics nationwide.