Abstract
Both natural and man-made disasters can lead to large amounts of debris along shorelines and in coastal waters. Unlike response to debris on land, determining jurisdiction and authority for marine debris removal can be complicated, funds may not be available, and debris may be left in place. Through a highly collaborative process, NOAA's Marine Debris Program is developing marine debris emergency response guides for coastal states, and has published response guides for all five Gulf states including Mississippi and Alabama. These documents serve as a complete reference for marine debris response after disasters—with an emphasis on incidents affecting the coastal zone. The document outlines existing response structures at the local, state, and federal levels to facilitate a coordinated, well-managed, and immediate response to marine debris after disasters. This work has shed light on existing gaps and challenges associated with response to disaster debris and has helped clarify key agency roles.
