MARINE DEBRIS TRAWLS
Get students out of the classroom and up close to science they can touch
Marine Debris - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program defines marine debris as, “any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or the Great Lakes”.
Microplastics - According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Nation Ocean Service program, microplastics are characterized as pieces of degraded plastics less than five millimeters long. Microfibers, synthetic fibers smaller than ten micrometers, are a subcategory of microplastics commonly found in water samples. Clothing made of plastic materials, like polyester and acrylic, emits microfibers into waterways when they are cleaned in washing machines.
SEA - Sustainability, Education, Action
See what we are doing in Maine!
Why is trawling necessary?
​
Marine debris is a global issue that can have many negative impacts including:
​
-
Threats to navigation
-
Damage to ships and fishing equipment
-
Risks of ingestion by, and entanglement of, marine species
-
Smothering fragile habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds
-
Decreased tourism, recreation, fisheries, ecosystem functions, quality of life, and economies
​
Marine debris is most easily removed from coastlines, however, trawls collect debris that remains in the ocean.
​
What is Seaside Sustainability Doing?
​
Seaside Sustainability facilitates marine debris trawls according to NOAA protocol. Using outrigged nets, our in-person intern team has collected microplastic water samples from the Essex and Annisquam Rivers, as well as the Choate Island Channel at 1-3 knots for approximately 15 minutes. Macro-debris is recorded and discarded while micro-debris is sent to the University of New Hampshire for lab analysis.
​
Students interested in participating can reach out to us at info@seasidesustainability.org or 978-381-3302.
​
Nets are cast off our boats to collect floating marine debris as we perform the trawls.
Sample collection jars are filled after trawl is completed.
Samples are then analyzed using laboratory facilities to separate and quantify the collected microplastics.
Examples of Seaside Sustainability Trawling Results
Annisquam River
16 pieces of plastic collected, weighing 16.8mg
Ipswich Bay
10 pieces of plastic collected, weighing 27.3mg
Analysis of Surface Water Microplastics by the University of New Hampshire to the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission
In the Summer of 2023, a series of manta trawl surface water samples were provided to the University of New Hampshire by the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC). The goal was to complete sample preparation, processing, and analysis of these samples obtained from various locations within the Great Marsh Estuary. The results have been summarized below by Seaside’s Sustainability’s Grants and Sponsorships subteam.
​
Results indicate abundance of microplastics at each site as well as microplastic type such as fibers, fragments, pellets, films, foams, and styrofoam, as well as calculation of their relative abundance.