What is aquatic debris?

It is garbage! It is any object of wood, metal, glass, rubber, plastic, cloth, paper or other man-made item that has been lost or discarded in the aquatic environment.

How does debris affect wildlife?

Garbage can dramatically effect how animals breathe, eat and move through their environments. Bears, birds, marine mammals, fish, and sea turtles have been found injured or dead as a result of aquatic debris.

What are some other effects?

The negative impacts of aquatic debris don’t stop with wildlife. Shoreline garbage can also have serious impacts on people, habitat and water quality.