The Marine Debris Program’s annual art contest aims to get students thinking about how marine debris impacts our ocean and Great Lakes, and what they can do to help. The 2023 calendar features artwork from thirteen students in kindergarten through eighth grade from nine states and two U.S. territories, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest.

Visit the Marine Debris Program’s website to view the winning entries and download and print the 2023 Marine Debris Calendar!

Additionally, on Oct. 17, the NOAA Marine Debris Program announced the opening of this year’s art contest. Students in grades K-8 from the United States and U.S. territories can submit their artwork now through Dec. 16.

Winning entries will be featured in the 2024 Marine Debris Calendar. The submitted artwork must answer the questions:

• How does marine debris impact the ocean and Great Lakes?
• What are you doing to help prevent marine debris?

The contest will accept entries electronically and by mail. If submitting electronically, you will need to send in your artwork as a JPEG, PNG, or TIFF file. For more contest and submission guidelines, please visit our website and download the entry form. Questions about the art contest should be emailed to md.artcontest@noaa.gov.