The IMDCC, a multi-agency body responsible for coordinating a comprehensive program of marine debris research and activities among United States Federal Government agencies, is required to submit a biennial report to Congress that includes the status of implementation of any recommendations and strategies of the Committee and an analysis of their effectiveness (33 U.S.C. 1954). In its first report to Congress, in 2008, the IMDCC published recommendations for addressing marine debris. Since then, several new agencies have joined as members of the IMDCC, and the recommendations do not reflect the full scope of current IMDCC member agency activities. As a result, the IMDCC has developed an entirely new set of draft recommendations through a collaborative process.

The new draft recommendations attempt to identify and express what the IMDCC sees as priorities for reducing the impacts of marine debris, aligning with the purposes and policies articulated in the Marine Debris Act and based on current authorities and activities of the IMDCC member agencies. The recommendations are designed to be broad in scope and are written to maintain relevance for several years. 

Comments will be accepted until March 25, 2024, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. To view the draft recommendations and learn how to submit a comment, please view the Federal Register Notice.