Removal
Permitting Requirements
Permitting may or may not* be required to conduct a marine debris cleanup and can depend on the type, location, or methods of removal.
Trap debris: Trap removal requires a trap removal permit from the Florida Fish and Wildife Conservation Commission.
Mangroves: Mangrove trimming for marine debris removal may require a DEP permit under FS Sects. 403.93
Florida Keys/Coral: A Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) General Permit/Authorization is required for marine debris removal activities within the sanctuary.
Fill/Excavation: FDEP permits may be required for some marine debris removal activities, particularly if filling of wetlands or surface waters, or dredging that creates or expands surface waters is anticipated.
Temporary Structures and Discharge: An USACE Section 404 Clean Water Act and Section 10 Rivers and Harbors Act permit may be required if temporary structures or discharge of dredged or fill material are required during marine debris removal activities.
*Even if a permit is not required for your site, it is always good to coordinate with any relevant land managers (e.g. state park, aquatic preserve, critical wildlife area) in order to most effectively conduct your removals without causing unintended negative resource impacts.
Best Management Practices
Best management practices (BMPs) are developed to:
Avoid and minimize impacts and disturbance to sensitive shoreline, intertidal, and benthic habitats including
mangroves, salt marshes, other wetlands, beaches, dunes, tidal flats, natural rocky shorelines, seagrasses, oyster
beds, hard-bottom reefs, corals, and coral reefs.
Avoid and minimize impacts and disturbance to wildlife and fisheries species and their habitats, including all protected species and critical habitat.
For a comprehensive list of marine debris removal BMPs and BMPs specific to your project/site, information on natural resource advisor training, or information on BMP contractor compliance training please contact marinedebris@myfwc.com
REPORTING
Marine Debris Tracker App - Gulf of Mexico Partnership Tab (Gulf and Atlantic projects)
Dive Against Debris - For in-water and reef based cleanups.
MarineDebris@MyFWC.com - To report any unusual or tracked marine debris
SEAFAN - The Southeast Florida Action Network - This program covers the 105-mile northern extension of Florida's Coral Reef, from the northern boundary of Biscayne National Park to the St. Lucie Inlet
Rubber Bales
Rubber Bales
These large blocks of virgin rubber latex weigh >100lbs and are often mistaken for contraband. They are typically black, brown, beige, or reddish and often have a 'smokey' or 'charred' smell.
Please Report: Photos, measurements, location, brick sized sample to FWC
Marine Debris with Oil
Oil spill response boom
This could be oil-coated debris or barrels of oil or other suspected or known hazardous materials. This information allows our State Scientific Support Coordinator and GIS support team to assess the source and if necessary, provide spill responders with valuable scientific information to provide timely assessments of potential impacts, determine best cleanup strategies, and minimize ecological damage and monetary losses.
Please report any marine debris items found with oil.
Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs)
Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs)
These are large devices most often seen as bamboo rafts wrapped in netting or large plastic saucer-like objects with or without netting. Both have long ropes with a buoy attached.
Please Report: Photos, location, recover buoy for FWC