Nearly $1.4 million in grants aims to improve coastal waters and habitats
NOAA has awarded nearly $1.4 million to groups across the U.S. to remove marine debris from their communities. This is the ninth year of this annual grant competition, and over that time, the program has distributed more than $10.5 million for removal projects.
![Marine debris is considered anything that does not naturally belong in the water. It includes plastics and lost or abandon fishing gear. (Image credit: NOAA) Marine debris is considered anything that does not naturally belong in the water. It includes plastics and lost or abandon fishing gear.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_1275/public/legacy/image/2019/Jun/PHOTO%20-%20Marine%20Debris%20Samples%20-%202014%20-%201120x534%20-%20Landscape.jpg?itok=oF_hJI19)
Marine debris is considered anything that does not naturally belong in the water. It includes plastics and lost or abandon fishing gear. (Image credit: NOAA)