CoastWatch Marine Debris Trainings

Gathering marine debris.\Photo by Tara Dubois.

CoastWatch Volunteer Coordinator Jesse Jones is holding a series of trainings on the south coast—Douglas, Coos, and Curry counties—from through April 2.  Times and places are TBA, depending on requests for training. If interested, contact her at jesse@oregonshores.org, to arrange a training or learn about ones that have already been set up.

CoastWatch organizes marine debris monitoring at selected sites to develop scientifically useful data about the amounts and types of debris reaching Oregon’s shore. Volunteers are essential to these marine debris-monitoring efforts. Participants employ a “protocol” developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to gather data on types and amounts of marine debris. Monitoring sites are approximately 100 meters (325 feet) long. No prior experience is necessary; CoastWatch offers free training in use of the NOAA protocol, recently updated in 2021. Groups of at least two are needed—this is an excellent activity for families or groups.

CoastWatchers can conduct a survey on their adopted miles, or joining with other marine debris survey volunteers on another mile. To be connected to another CoastWatch volunteer or group conducting a survey, please contact Jesse.

Preferred sites are areas with less human traffic and where it is less likely that litter will be picked up between monitoring sessions. Surveys must be conducted regularly on a monthly basis.