Plastic Litter in National Marine Sanctuaries in the West Coast Region and Monitoring Solutions

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in the environment, threatening marine ecosystems. The influx of plastic pollution in national marine sanctuaries poses a threat to marine life, but also challenges the balance of the rich cultural, ecological, and economic history of sanctuaries. The purpose of this report is to synthesize resources pertaining to plastic debris in national marine sanctuaries in the U.S. West Coast region at the time of publication and potential monitoring approaches. This report will discuss (1) the status of marine debris in each national marine sanctuary in the West Coast region, (2) research and monitoring efforts in national marine sanctuaries in the West Coast region, and (3) monitoring gaps and potential solutions. The findings aim to inform and enhance future conservation and monitoring strategies, ensuring the sustained protection and resilience of these vital marine ecosystems.

Key Words

marine debris, microplastics, macroplastics, ocean plastic, monitoring programs, monitoring plan, debris removal, plastics, plastic litter