Japan Tsunami Marine Debris:Information and Action

May 17th, 2012

Marine Resource Committee Science Fair,Long Beach, WA

Washington State Emergency Management DivisionWashington State Department of EcologyWashington State Department of Health

NOAA Marine Debris Program

Tsunami debris off the coast of Yamada, Japan. US Navy Pacific fleet

Earthquake and Tsunami

• 9.0 magnitude earthquake

• 120 ft max wave height• 217 square miles

inundation• 15,844 people confirmed

dead, 3,451 missing• Massive damage

Ofunato, March 15

Photo: US Navy

Early Debris

Photos: US Navy Pacific Fleet

Debris on March 13 off the Sendai coast• Patches and fields• Wood, construction materials abundant• The debris dispersed, some sunk

Photos: US Navy Pacific Fleet

By April 14, debris could no longer be detected by satellites.

Early Satellite Detection

Marine Debris Movement: Ocean Currents and Winds

NOAA’s Action

Report debris sightings to: disasterdebris@noaa.gov

• Collaboration with partners!• Maritime advisory and sightings• Satellite detection• Modeling• Shoreline survey: OCNMS, SOLV

and others• Planning• Information and outreach

http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/japanfaqs.html

• Possibly tsunami related, inert items that are not hazardous or potentially hazardous

• Examples: Soccer ball, float

Report to: Disasterdebris@noaa.gov

Reporting Marine DebrisReport to: National Response Center1-800-424-8802or call 911

• Hazardous or potentially hazardous items

• Examples: drums, chemical containers

Stay away. Don’t remove or open!

• Debris is dispersed and not in large concentrations or fields• Deposition: Floating debris, over time• Marine debris sightings: By US and Japan• Satellite detection: None recently. Effort ongoing• Computer model

• Some high windage items have reached the Pacific Northwest coast

• Bulk of floating debris still offshore• Radioactive? Highly unlikely• Human remains? Highly unlikely• Items of sentimental value: Email disasterdebris@noaa.gov

or report to local authorities

Summary of What We Know

boom

shipping containerPhotos: Japan Air Force

• Quantity and exact composition of debris still afloat

• Fate and effect• Exact timeline and location

Summary of What We Don’t Know

Thank you

Nir BarneaNOAA Marine Debris Program

7600 Sand Point Way NESeattle, WA 98115

Nir.barnea@noaa.gov

disasterdebris@noaa.gov

Get info:

Report sightings:

http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/japanfaqs.html

Washington Military Department

The Emergency Management Division

Emergency Management Mission• Minimize the impacts of emergencies and

disasters on the people, property, environment, and economy of Washington State.

Emergency / Disaster Objectives• Save lives and prevent injury• Protect property• Protect the environment• Protect the economy

The State EOC…..• Provides Statewide Alert, Notification, and

Warning.• Provides Coordination and support for:

Local, state, and federal response• Supports local jurisdictions’/tribes’ emergency

response.• Anticipates local jurisdictions’/tribes’ disaster

recovery requirements.

In Summary

• Washington State Military Department is the central coordinating agency for local, state, federal, and private agencies before, during, and after emergencies or disasters.

• The Department, through the Emergency Management Division orchestrates the “whole of government” response to state disasters and to events such as the projected landfall of tsunami debris.

State Department of Health• The Department of Health works with local, state, and

federal partners to prepare for public health emergencies.

• Several agency programs are working with those partners in response to marine debris from the Japan tsunami.• Office of Radiation Protection• Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response• Office of Communications• Public Health Laboratories

Office of Radiation Protection• Will support our federal, state, local partners.

• Spot check debris for contamination.

• Respond to radiological issues, as needed.

2012 Beach Cleanup Surveys

Washington State Department of Ecology

• Hazardous Materials and Oil Spills

• Solid Waste Issues• Washington

Conservation Corps

Hazardous Materials & Oil SpillsRespond to ,clean up oil spills & hazardous materials (containers, fuel tanks, etc.).

We already do this statewide – we receive 3,800 reports / conduct 1,200 field responses a year.

To report oil spills & hazardous material releasesWashington: 1-800-OILS-911(1-800-258-5990)

Coast Guard: 1-800-424-8802

Solid Waste Issues

Assist local health departments & solid waste utilities.

Possible assistance with financing, coordination, collaboration with existing efforts to remove marine debris from Washington beaches

Solid Waste Issues

Washington Conservation Corps• Assists With

Emergency Response

• Removal of Hazardous Materials and Large Debris

• Coordination• Washington

Veterans Corps

Washington State Department of Ecology

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2012/itn01_debris.html