Marine Debris Monitoring Survey

Conducting marine debris survey and cleanup at Muriel O. Ponsler wayside.\Photo by Tara Dubois.

A monthly marine debris survey takes place at Muriel O. Ponsler State Scenic Viewpoint, between Florence and Yachats.  To join the next survey (either to become part of the team, or simply to learn about the survey and decide whether it is for you) meet at the viewpoint parking lot at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 22, to start the survey—equipment and instruction will be provided.  CoastWatch, which leads marine debris monitoring for the Oregon coast as part of the state’s Marine Debris Action Plan, is collaborating with the Cape Perpetua Area Collaborative at this site.  The survey should last until about noon.

Volunteers are always needed, and visitors are also welcome to join in to learn about the marine debris monitoring process, perhaps to carry the knowledge to another area to start up a new monitoring team.

These surveys, conducted according to a NOAA protocol, are citizen science efforts that make a contribution to scientific studies of the origins and impacts of such debris by helping to provide baseline data.  They also help to clean up the stretches of shoreline where they occur.

For more information about marine debris monitoring, contact Fawn Custer, CoastWatch volunteer coordinator, at (541) 270-0027, fawn@oregonshores.org.