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The Boston Harbor Association's Marine Debris Cleanup Initiative

The Boston Harbor Association's 2004 Boston Harbor Marine Debris Cleanup Project is entering its fifth summer of improving Boston Harbor by eliminating marine debris, which can be navigational hazards as well as health hazards to both humans and marine life. This summer's project will run from the July 3rd through Labor Day. The Boston Harbor Marine Debris Cleanup Project is a collaboration of public and private organizations working together to address and prevent floatable marine debris in Boston Harbor. Special thanks to the following partners who are providing financial support for this year's project:

  • Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
  • Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management
  • Massachusetts Port Authority
  • City of Boston, Mayor Thomas M. Menino
  • Eastern Salt Company, Inc.

To date, more than 150 tons of marine debris have been removed during the past four summers. For more information on The Boston Harbor Association's Marine Debris Cleanup Project or to get your marina involved in a cleaner Boston Harbor, please call (617) 482-1722.

Project Highlights

The Boston Harbor Marine Debris Cleanup Project provided cleanup coverage throughout the Inner Harbor, including regular sweeps of high visibility areas such as Long Wharf, Rowes Wharf, the Charlestown Navy Yard, Moakley Federal Courthouse, Piers Park, and Chelsea Creek. Extensive clean up coverage was also conducted for two full days following the 4th of July festivities on the Esplanade and after other large events and concerts in this area. During the period 1 July to 22 September, Boston Line & Service Co. Inc., the on-water contractors, removed 30.75 tons of debris.

Marine Debris Initiative Map
  (click on map for larger view)

Some of the most common debris items found in Boston Harbor:

  • large wood timbers 
  • construction debris 
  • plastic bottles 
  • styrofoam and styrofoam cups 
  • small pieces of wood 
  • paper products and wrappers 
  • cigarette butts and packaging

Did you know? 

Debris removed during the clean-up seasons included items such as couches, shopping carts, plastic chairs, water heaters, traffic cones, and plastic milk crates.

The 2003 Marine Debris Final Report provides a summary of last summer's project and The Boston Harbor Association's ongoing efforts to help keep Boston Harbor a safer, more enjoyable place to live, work, and play. Currently, the most significant debris sources in Boston Harbor are large timbers and oversized debris from dilapidated structures and neglected properties on the waterfront, timbers and smaller debris from construction sites on the waterfront, and smaller debris including cups, bottles, cigarette butts, and plastic bags from high-traffic areas, tourist destinations, and recreational boats on Boston Harbor. The Final Report concluded that there should be a greater emphasis placed on outreach, and prevention of marine debris through the elimination of these sources. TBHA works with local conservation commissions, waterfront property owners, code enforcement officials, and marinas and yacht clubs on ways to prevent and remove marine debris.

For more information on the Marine Debris Cleanup Program, or to obtain a copy of the 2003 Marine Debris Final Report, please contact the Boston Harbor Association at 617-482-1722.

 

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The Boston Harbor Association   -   374 Congress Street, Suite 609   -   Boston, MA 02210   -   617-482-1722 (P)   -   617-482-9750 (F)   -   mail@tbha.org