by Krystal Paco

Guam - With the earthquake and tsunami disaster that struck Japan in March came an unidentified amount of debris released into the Pacific Ocean. To document and track tsunami debris activities, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will issue a monthly bulletin to keep stakeholders informed.

An EPA lead marine debris workshop, as part of the regular Oceanic Regional Response Team (ORRT) meeting, met in June in Honolulu to explore options for a coordinated response to the debris. The ORRT includes Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the CNMI.

For more information on EPA Region 9's marine debris efforts and to subscribe to the Tsunami Debris Bulletin and receive it via email visit:http://www.epa.gov/region9/marine-debris/

For more information on Tsunami Debris and the NOAA Marine Debris Program visit:
http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/japanfaqs.html and http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/welcome.html

For the U.S. DOT's Advisory visit: http://www.marad.dot.gov/news_room_landing_page/maritime_advisories/advisory/advisory2011-06.htm