Despite growing awareness of marine debris, the problem is still
largely unexplored and unreported (Derraik 2002; Thom 2009),
and little solid scientific information exists about the nature and
scope of the issue (National Science Foundation 2010). The
United Nations Environmental Programme stated that contemporary
and historical measures to prevent and reduce marine
waste were inadequate, and the problem will likely worsen in the
21st Century. However, the following actions are being taken to
address this growing problem in the marine environment.