Report on Marine Debris Removal in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Executive Summary and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

A targeted large marine debris removal operation was recently completed in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. This initiative, supported by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, focused on the mesophotic zone, a critical deep-water habitat. The project makes a direct and significant contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily advancing SDG 14 (Life Below Water) through marine ecosystem restoration and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through its multi-stakeholder collaborative model.

Advancing SDG 14: Life Below Water

The mission’s core objective was the conservation and restoration of a vital marine ecosystem, directly aligning with the targets of SDG 14.

• Sanctuary Significance: Located approximately 100 miles (161km) off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana, the sanctuary is a federally protected area crucial for the survival of species such as manta rays, sea turtles, and whale sharks. It is a center for science and restoration, particularly of mesophotic coral ecosystems.
• Target 14.1 – Reduce Marine Pollution: The operation directly addressed this target by removing years of accumulated derelict fishing gear and other debris, which were actively damaging the seafloor and marine life.
• Target 14.2 – Protect and Restore Ecosystems: By clearing debris from sensitive mesophotic coral and sponge communities, the mission actively works to restore habitat integrity and strengthen the resilience of the broader ecosystem function of Flower Garden Banks.
• Target 14.5 – Conserve Coastal and Marine Areas: This action reinforces the purpose and effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) like the sanctuary in safeguarding biodiversity and facilitating targeted restoration efforts.

Operational Details and Strategic Impact

The removal was executed as a data-driven, collaborative mission to restore deep reef ecosystems, operating at depths rarely addressed by cleanup missions.

1. Location of Operations: The majority of the debris was targeted for removal from Stetson Bank within the sanctuary.
2. Debris Removed: The operation successfully recovered various forms of debris that were fouling the seafloor.
   • Derelict fishing gear, including trawl nets, fishing line, and rope
   • Anchors
   • Human-made debris such as plastic and metal fragments
3. Economic and Scientific Benefits: The removal of debris eliminates hazards that impede recovery, research, and recreational activities like scuba diving and fishing. This supports local livelihoods and state economies, contributing to the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by ensuring the long-term viability of sustainable tourism and enterprise.

A Model for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The project’s success was built on a robust public-private partnership, demonstrating the effectiveness of collaborative action as promoted by SDG 17.

• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: Provided key logistical, financial, and coordination support, enabling the multi-partner operation.
• NOAA: Staff from the Mesophotic and Deep Benthic Communities portfolio provided scientific oversight, ensured adherence to sanctuary protocols, and collected critical data.
• T&T Group: The commercial partner provided the vessel, crane operations, and commercial dive teams for 24-hour recovery work.
• Moody Gardens and Georgia Aquarium: Staff from these institutions assisted with onboard operations, managed and assessed recovered materials, and supported mission logistics.

This collaboration between federal agencies, a non-profit foundation, and commercial entities serves as a model for SDG Target 17.17, which encourages effective public-private and civil society partnerships to achieve sustainable development objectives.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The article is centered on a marine debris removal effort within the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. This directly addresses the goal of conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources. The text highlights the protection of marine life like manta rays, sea turtles, and coral ecosystems from the negative impacts of derelict fishing gear and other human-made debris.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article explicitly details a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders. It mentions the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, the federal government (NOAA), commercial entities (T&T Group), and other organizations (Moody Gardens, Georgia Aquarium). The article calls the sanctuary a “model of public-private partnership,” which directly aligns with the goal of strengthening the means of implementation through partnerships.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
   • The mission’s primary goal was a “targeted large marine debris removal effort” to remove “derelict fishing gear,” “trawl nets, fishing line and rope,” “anchors,” and “human-made debris (such as plastic and metal fragments).” This is a direct action to reduce existing marine debris.
2. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
   • The article states the debris was “damaging habitat” and getting in the way of “recovery, research and recreation activities.” The removal mission is described as a “data-driven, collaborative approach to restoring deep reef ecosystems,” specifically targeting the “mesophotic coral ecosystems.”
3. Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 percent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information.
   • The entire operation takes place within the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, which is a protected marine area established to conserve marine life and ecosystems. The effort to clean and restore this sanctuary reinforces the purpose of such conserved areas.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
   • The article describes the mission as a collaboration between the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (civil society), NOAA (public/government), T&T Group (private), and Moody Gardens/Georgia Aquarium (civil society/research). Foundation President Joel Johnson explicitly calls the sanctuary a “model of public-private partnership.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

For Target 14.1 (Reduce Marine Debris)

• The article implies the use of an indicator related to the quantity and type of marine debris. It states that staff “helped manage and assess recovered materials” and that NOAA staff were onboard to “collect data on the type, condition and state of the ecosystem.” A direct indicator would be the amount (by weight or volume) and type of debris removed from the sanctuary.

For Target 14.2 (Protect and Restore Ecosystems)

• Progress is implied through monitoring the health of the ecosystem post-cleanup. The article mentions NOAA staff collected “photos and videos of the work” and data on the “state of the ecosystem.” This suggests an indicator such as the area of habitat restored or the change in health and biodiversity of the mesophotic coral and sponge communities.

For Target 17.17 (Promote Partnerships)

• The existence and effectiveness of the partnership is itself an indicator. The article provides the data needed to measure this by listing the partners involved. The indicator is the number and type of organizations (public, private, civil society) actively collaborating on the project. The article also notes the “key logistical and financial support” provided by the Foundation, implying the mobilization of resources as another measure of the partnership’s success.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: deeperblue.com