When Hurricane Irma slammed into the Florida Keys as a Category 4 hurricane last fall, it created widespread destruction and an intractable problem: lots and lots of marine debris.
Marine debris — which ranges from soda bottles and plastic bags to discarded fishing equipment and abandoned boats — can pose hazards to navigation, harm wildlife and marine life, and pollute the region’s delicate ecosystem that is under the protection of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
While about 2.5 million cubic yards of land-based debris was removed from the area after the storm, much underwater marine debris remains threatening coral, sponges, sea turtles, manatees and other marine animals.
Continue reading at NOAA.
Image via NOAA.