What is Marine Debris

Marine Debris is any waste that has been released into any body of water either accidentally or deliberately released. The debris is made up of plastic bags, balloons, buoys, rope, medical waste, glass and plastic bottles, cigarettes, beverage cans, polystyrene, fishing lines and nets (Australian Government, 2014).

(U.S. Department of Commerce 2015, photograph, viewed 20 May, <http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/discover-issue>)