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| Oregon's Governor, John Kitzhaber, signed the State of Oregon Japan Tsunami Marine Debris plan on Dec. 18, 2012. |
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In June 2012 a dock from Japan washed up on Oregon’s Agate Beach in Newport. It had a thick layer of living organisms on it.
-Photo by ODFW- |
As a result of the March 2011 tsunami that struck Japan, a large amount of debris washed into Japan’s waters. Experts predict that a portion of that debris will reach U.S. shores over the next several years. Some of it may contain invasive species that could pose a serious threat to Oregon’s marine environment and native species through competition, crowding and predation.
Learn what to do if you find beach debris
Marine Invasive Species and Japanese Tsunami Debris Fact Sheet (pdf)
Oregon Park and Recreation Department
Beach Debris Brochure (pdf)
News and Timeline of Events
March 2013: Several small boats suspected to be tsunami debris washed up on Oregon coast; all were removed to landfills.
March 10, 2013: A section of a concrete dock was placed at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport as part of a tsunami awareness exhibit.
March 13, 2013: Japanese officials confirmed there were four floating docks at the Misawa Fishing Port when the March 11, 2011 tsunami struck and three were washed away. One dock washed up on June 5, 2012 on Agate Beach in Newport, Oregon. One washed up in December 2012 on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, and one was sighted off Hawaii in late September 2012.
Feb. 5, 2013: Boat washed ashore at Gleneden Beach appears to be tsunami debris
Dec. 18, 2012: Governor Kitzhaber Signs Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris Plan
Nov. 30, 2012: Government of Japan gifts NOAA $5 million to address tsunami marine debris
Oct. 24, 2012: Marine organisms on floating dock identified (pdf)
Sept. 26, 2012: Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris Task Force schedules road show in Curry and Clatsop counties
News Archives
Reporting marine debris
- If you find marine debris that has living organisms attached, send photo along with details (location, county, date found, description of item, what you did with the item) to beach.debris@state.or.us. Then, please dispose of the item in the nearest garbage can or move to dry land.
- If you find other large Japan tsunami marine debris (you are unable to move it or dispose of it in a garbage can), send an email with details to: beach.debris@state.or.us or call 211 or 1 800-safenet
- Never move marine debris with living organisms on it to other bodies of water – this may lead to the spread of invasive species
- See the fact sheet (pdf) for more information.
More Information
Contacts
Meg Kenagy, Meg.B.Kenagy@state.or.us, (503) 947-6021;
Rick Boatner, Rick.J.Boatner@ state.or.us, (503) 947-6308
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Wakame kelp (Undaria pinnatifida) was attached to the Japanese floating dock that arrived In Newport, Oregon. This nonnative golden-brown seaweed from Asia has the potential to become established along the coast where it may spread quickly and become a fouling nuisance on docks, ship hulls, nets, fishing gear, moorings, ropes and other marine structures. In sheltered waters, the Wakame kelp can quickly form large beds that block out sunlight essential for the survival of native kelps, seaweeds,and other marine algae. Although the Wakame kelp is valued as a food item in its native range in Japan, it is included on the global list of 100 worst invasive species outside its natural habitat.
- Hatfield Marine Science Center photo - |
Northern Pacific seastars (Asterias amurensis) were found alive on dock that washed ashore on June 5, 2012. These seastars are native to China, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and Russia. If these seastars become established in Oregon they could cause widespread ecological and economic harm. Voracious feeders, and they will prey on native marine organisms. Eradication efforts are thought to be ineffective because once-established the planktonic larvae are free-swimming for periods of several weeks and can be transported to new locations in the ballast water of ships.
- Hatfield Marine Science Center photo - |
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