Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Washington
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Marine debris is a persistent pollution issue in coastal communities around the world. Man-made litter and material that is lost or discarded in the ocean can accumulate and endanger marine life (eg, lost fishing gear that "ghost" fishes). Since 1987, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has conducted annual trawl surveys to assess bottomfish populations in Puget Sound. In addition to documenting the organisms that inhabit the seafloor, these surveys also identify and record debris caught in each trawl, including aluminum, plastic, glass, and derelict fishing gear. Among other details, the WDFW’s extensive records include the region, depth, type, and abundance of debris to give the best picture of what man-made materials are found on the seafloor of Puget Sound. Despite continued collection, this dataset has not yet been formally analyzed. This project aims to investigate the distribution and abundance of marine debris throughout various regions of the Sound over time. Analysis of this dataset will aid in the understanding and awareness of marine debris in Puget Sound, which is vital to informing effective clean up and prevention efforts to make community waters cleaner and safer for both humans and marine life.