Tsunami Debris Cleanup Efforts by U.S. Agencies

by greenlivingguy @Seth_LeitmanNovember 8, 2011January 8, 2026

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies are teaming up to document and track potential marine debris generated by the Japan earthquake and tsunami in March. EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will issue a monthly bulletin to keep key stakeholders informed about tsunami debris activities, an effort resulting from an EPA lead marine debris workshop held in June in Honolulu. The workshop, part of the regular Oceania Regional Response Team meeting, explored options for a coordinated response to the tsunami debris. The ORRT, comprised of federal, state and U.S. Territory agencies, has an area of responsibility that includes Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Talk about debris tsunami. I mean it’s so bad that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and also other federal agencies are teaming up. That’s to document and also track potential marine debris generated by the Japan earthquake and tsunami. Especially in March.

EPA plus NOAA

EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, first of all, will issue a monthly bulletin. For that’s to keep key stakeholders informed about activities. This is an effort resulting from an EPA lead marine debris workshop. One that was also held in June in Honolulu.

The workshop, part of the regular Oceania Regional Response Team meeting. For they also explored options for a coordinated response to the tsunami debris. The ORRT, comprised of federal, state and U.S. Territory agencies. Now it also has an area of responsibility that includes:

Hawaii
Guam
American Samoa
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Debris from a collapsed structure with people surveying the scene — Destruction caused by a tsunami, with people surveying the debris.

A team of environmental workers in uniforms cleaning marine debris from a beach, including plastic waste and items like ropes and a soccer ball, highlighting efforts to address tsunami debris.

Follow up meetings

Follow up meetings resulted in a coordinated strategy for reporting of debris sightings. An advisory was also issued to U.S. flag vessels at the end of September. That by the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). For that was requesting voluntary reporting of significant debris sightings. All moreover though the open ocean. This is all to better characterize the extent and also the nature of this debris field.

In March 2011 the Japanese tsunami released debris report. It is estimated to be most noteworthy in the millions of tons into the Pacific Ocean. For the University of Hawaii scientists have also developed computer models. Those that predict debris from the tsunami. For it could potentially reach Hawaii by March 2012. In addition, the U.S. West Coast by March 2013.

A close-up image of a weathered soccer ball showing dirt and markings, possibly related to debris from the 2011 Japan tsunami. — Soccer ball from Tsunami. Photo by David Baxter

Source: Environmental Protection Agency

For more information on EPA Region 9’s marine debris efforts and also to subscribe to the Tsunami Debris Bulletin. Please receive it via email visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/marine-debris/

For more information on Tsunami Debris and the NOAA Marine Debris Program visit:
http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/japanfaqs.html and http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/welcome.html Welcome Page

For the U.S. DOT’s Advisory visit: http://www.marad.dot.gov/news_room_landing_page/maritime_advisories/advisory/advisory2011-06.htm