For two decades, NOAA has been working tirelessly to investigate, prevent, and reduce the impact of marine debris, which plays a massive role in protecting fragile ecosystems like coral reefs. From ghost nets that smother and break corals, to plastics that threaten marine life, marine debris are a hazard to our reefs. By removing millions of pounds of trash from our waters, the NOAA Marine Debris Program helps ensure these vital underwater habitats can thrive for generations to come. [Facebook photo]