Tracking Japan’s Floating Tsunami Debris as it Drifts Towards California – UPDATE: It Arrived

RESOURCES FOR TRACKING THE TSUNAMI DEBRIS

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(newest at the top)

UPDATE – DEBRIS MAKES LANDFALL IN US & CANADA

Washington State on this page is referenced as “Washington” or WA, Washington D.C. is referenced as “D.C.” to avoid confusion –

Items after June, 2012 with RADIATION as a topic will have a ♦ symbol at the front of the headline –  

Plastic trash in oceans ‘vastly’ underestimated – Oceanographer discovers that winds drive this harmful garbage deep into sea

♦  FUKUSHIMA: Pacific Ocean Will Not Dilute Dumped Radioactive Water – According to Previously-Secret 1955 Government Report     

MORE on N. Pacific & Radiation Reports

2014

June 15 – British Columbia – Ucuelet West Coast Fishermen ‘ Fukushima debris waist high’ < YouTube Video

2013 reports

Dec. 25 – [US] West Coast girds for more tsunami debris in winter

Dec. 21 – Washington –  A dock has washed ashore on the Olympic Peninsula

Dec. 12 – NBC: Japan tsunami debris may be impacting U.S. food supply

Nov. 29 – NBC: “Wait until you see pictures of what we found on the beach in Hawaii” — “Leading edge of what many fear is an oncoming wave”

Nov. 15 – Wash. – Ocean Shores – Debris Meeting Tonight! Long Beach, WA is Dec. 5 –

Washington Marine Debris Task Force Holding Public Meetings on Tsunami Debris Response Plan

more info: marinedebris.wa.gov

Nov. 11 – Huge increase in tsunami debris for U.S. and Canada on the way — Still over 100 times more to reach coast over next few months (VIDEO)

Oct. 19 – VIDEO: Simulation of movement of marine debris generated by the 2011 tsunami in Japan

Oct. 5 – ♦ US Coast Guard film of radiation testing of small boat (debris) washed up in Hawaii < Video

Sept. 29, 2012 – Hawaii Response Streamlined

Sept. 24, 2012 – [Wash.] State Marine Debris Task Force releases response (scroll down)

Sept. 21, 2012 – Tsunami Debris Hits Hawaii:

A Floating Dock from Japan off the Coast of Hawaii? < ♦ Fishermen Worry it is Radioactive
Plastic storage bin is 1st piece of tsunami debris found off Hawaii
♦They are checking radioactivity

Univ. of Washington Report on the Likely Debris Path [PDF]

Sept. 18, 2012 – Volunteers clean up 320 tons of trash in annual Coastal Cleanup Day

Sept. 14, 2012 – Japan gifts U.S. $6 million toward debris cleanup

“The monetary gift will be split between the two countries — with $5 million going to the U.S. and $1 million to Canada.”

Sept. 11, 2012 – Alaska to receive $1 million from Japan for tsunami debris cleanup

Oregon – Proposal to Hire Veterans to Assist with Marine Debris Cleanup

Oregon Coast Cleanup on Sept 22 Has Added Urgency Because of Tsunami Debris

Sept. 10, 2012 – [Tsunami Debris] Could Reach California Coast Soon

Sept.  8, 2012 – Tsunami debris 800 miles from US — Waters could be jammed starting next month — School buses, houses tearing up fishermen’s nets < with Video

Sept.  4, 2012 – Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary: Huge amount of debris to reach U.S. & Canada this fall

Remnants of Japan’s Tsunami Attract an Archaeological Interest

Aug. 30, 2012 – Small Japanese Boat Found near Vancouver Island, Canada

Aug. 21, 2012 – Funding available for marine debris removal projects.
Deadline: Nov.1

“Through NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, the NOAA Restoration Center administers the Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Grants Program. This funding supports locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention and removal projects that benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and wildlife including migratory fish. “

Aug. 20, 2012 – 2012 MCAF Japanese Tsunami Monitoring Program [PDF] – a 14 page doc.

♦ p.12 – no radiation detected

Aug. 16, 2012 –  Journey to the Center of the Gyre: The Fate of the Tohoku Tsunami Debris Field

Tsunami Debris Strains Budgets and Patience

Aug. 14, 2012 – How wind-blown Japanese tsunami debris may move across the Pacific

Aug.  9, 2012 – US Marine Institute: Tsunami Debris Causing Ocean Pollution

Alaska – Coastal Overflights Finding Styrofoam On Beaches

Aug.  8, 2012 – Japan, US NGOs To Cooperate On Drifting Tsunami Debris

Aug.  5, 2012 – Oregon Needs Help for Tsunami Debris on Netarts Spit

Aug.  1, 2012 – Ore. – Suzanne Bonamici moves to speed up federal payments

Alaska sets up tsunami debris website
[US] Coast states get up to $50K for tsunami debris aid
[US] Marine Debris Program Funding Bill Held Up In Senate

July 25, 2012 – ♦Dangerous levels of Fukushima radiation headed for West Coast, say scientists

Tsunami Debris Project curated online < [Link will be on our Debris Resources page]

July 24, 2012 – University of Hawaii to receive nearly $2.3 million in NOAA grants (some for tsunami debris tracking)

Tsunami debris off WA coast may be Japanese barge

July 21, 2012 – ♦Pacific radiation – Fukushima fins spotted on US shores (Video)

July 20, 2012 – [US] Governors seek more tsunami debris funds

July 18, 2012 – Five States Funded for Japanese Tsunami Debris Response

NOAA Debris Projection – Graphic

July 17, 2012 – Feds offer a pittance to 5 states for debris disposal

♦US West Coast to receive dangerous levels of Fukushima radiation

Hawaii plans to apply for $50,000 tsunami debris cleanup grant, seek additional funds
Northwest Lawmakers Say Tsunami Debris Grants Not Enough

July 16, 2012 – NOAA Offers $250K for Tsunami Debris Removal

B.C. Minister of Environment visits Haida Gwaii

Long Beach, Wash. Beach cleanup set for Tuesday

July 14, 2012 – Oregon Officials Need More Volunteers to Patrol, Clean the Coast

Japan tsunami’s effects being felt on B.C. coast

NOTE: Misc. articles on tsunami trash items found on beaches will be posted less here as they are daily now.  FC will focus on debris clean up announcements, debris strategies by governments and science news.

NOTE: Pacific Ocean contamination has its own page.

July 12, 2012 – Homer, Alaska Tsunami find

Debris Arriving on Oregon and Washington Coast
Tsunami debris adds to ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’

July 11, 2012 – Help for Tsunami Debris Cleanup Needed This Weekend on N. Oregon Coast

The Garbage Cruise – A Sea of Floating Tsunami Debris

July 10, 2012 – ♦ Contaminated water from Fukushima reactors could double radioactivity levels of US coastal waters in 5 years

July  9, 2012 – B.C. – Tsunami debris will likely have to be taken off Haida Gwaii

B.C. forms task force for tsunami debris cleanup  < Note photo – body language and lack of gloves indicate Canada gov’t. thinks Fukushima radiation is a joke. And the death of the North Pacific is a joke. – F.C.

July  3, 2012 –  [Washington] Gov. Chris Gregoire is releasing $500,000 from her emergency fund [for debris]

♦ Tsunami debris surveys underway but will cleanup funding arrive in time?
♦ Alaska – Tsunami debris survey proposes aerial coastline survey
Oregon – Tsunami debris worries shipping, fishing industries

Alaska couple finds Japanese boat from tsunami

June 30, 2012 –  Oregon – Tsunami debris and tourism are linked

Washington – crews find enough marine debris in 1 week to fill 70 pickup trucks
Oregon drop-off sites for tsunami debris established

Adventurers sail through wave of tsunami debris
Tsunami debris triggers wave of concern from Oregon lawmakers
Alaska’s senior senator wants a federal task force to devise a plan for addressing debris

June 28, 2012 – Oregon – Tsunami debris task force created

Oregon – How to handle Tsunami debris & invasive species reaching our coast
Tsunami debris fears spark cleanup in U.S. states – Canadian officials have no formal plans for B.C.’s coast

June 27, 2012 –  ♦ Plutonium in fish caught off Japan coast

♦ Bluefin tuna picking up more and more cesium

June 26, 2012 – [US] West Coast faces $200million bill to clear Japanese tsunami debris washing up on shore

Study of ingested plastic to gauge plastic amounts in N. Pacific – abstract

Who foots the bill for cleaning up Japan’s tsunami debris? – VIDEO
As Tsunami Debris Crosses Pacific, Dangers Emerge
Teams sent to WA beaches for tsunami debris
Oregon – Tsunami debris dock to be removed from Agate Beach July 30

June 23, 2012 –  B.C. is wait-and-see over tsunami debris

Shoes swept up in tsunami land on Washington beaches
Oregon – How Seaside will deal with tsunami debris
Species from dock ID’d

Washington Conservation Corp Set to Deploy for Tsunami Debris Cleanup

June 20, 2012  –  Seattle Times: An ocean of concern over tsunami debris

‘house’ washes up in Washington state

June 19, 2012 – Washington Governor Announces State Actions to Address Japan Tsunami Debris

NOAA surveys Alaska beaches for tsunami debris

June 18, 2012 – ♦ Washington to outline tsunami debris management plan – Officials plan to inspect incoming debris for radiation, invasive species

NEWS about this is at June 19 entry

June 17, 2012 – Wash. senator calls for help with tsunami debris

State says Japanese dock can’t remain on Oregon beach

  [Oregon] US Rep. Bonamici holds meeting on Tsunami debris in Cannon Beach

  Ore. officials stress urgency in Japan tsunami debris cleanup plan

[snip] . . .  (area resident) Mead doesn’t believe local, state or federal agencies are doing enough. 

“It’s obvious nothing’s being done.  You can see it,” Mead said, gesturing to dozens of pieces of Styrofoam on the beach.  “Do you see any dumpsters to put stuff in?  Do you see any bags being handed out?”

  Washington – About 3,000 pounds of marine life removed from boat’s hull has photos & video

June 16, 2012 – Oregon – Cautions Issued For Tsunami Debris

   Boat believed to be Japanese tsunami debris washes ashore in Washington  < has VIDEO

  Oregon – Coast couple frustrated as tsunami debris piles up

  [US] West coast state parks facing huge expense removing Japanese debris

  Washington monitoring tsunami debris for radiation  << FINALLY!

June 13, 2012 – Oregon parks dept. deciding what to do with tsunami dock, keep as memorial or dismantle it

  Tsunami debris foam littering Washington coast

  Vancouver – Huge increase in Pacific marine debris attributed to tsunami

June 10, 2012 – Debris from overseas washes up on Unalaska shore

   U.S. lacks plan for dealing with tsunami debris washing up on West Coast

June  9, 2012 – Japan Tsunami Debris: Under Control or on the Brink of Disaster? << [Link NOT worksafe, has talking ad]

” Scientists estimate that the mass of debris from the Japanese earthquake making its way to the United States and Canadian coastlines is three times the size of the U.S. “

 Conrad Miller, M.D. on the Radiation Hazard of Tsunami Debris [Video]

[Oregon] No decision yet on the fate of Japanese tsunami dock

 Washington – Tsunami debris found at mouth of Columbia

  Tsunami debris spurs worries

  [California] Beaches Monitored for Tsunami Debris

   Alaska – Murkowski to Conduct Tsunami Debris Aerial Survey
” Senator Lisa Murkowski will join United States Coast Guard District 17 leadership this weekend and participate in a fly-over of the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound to investigate the rising levels of debris along Alaska’s shores…”

June  8, 2012 – Gawkers Welcome, Invasive Species Not, Around Tsunami Debris Dock

  Los Angeles – Local search begins for tsunami debris

  Tsunami carries 90 tonnes of sea life to US (on washed-up Oregon dock)

 Canada, Vancouver – Tsunami debris plan evolving

June  7, 2012 – California – Ventura Co. paper reports on radioactive nightmare heading for Pacific and West Coast

  Dock becomes largest tsunami debris to arrive from Japan

  [US] West Coast prepares for Japanese tsunami debris

  Photos: Japan tsunami debris reaches Alaska

June  6, 2012 – Giant piece of tsunami debris washes up in Oregon — Biologists shocked by what they found [has VIDEO]    MORE + PHOTOS

June  5, 2012 –  Inspection reveals B.C. beaches a global garbage dump

  The Algalita/5 Gyres Japan Tsunami Debris Expedition leaves this Thursday

June  1, 2012 –  5 Gyres announces Leg 1 of the Japan Tsunami Debris Expedition complete

 Canada – Website helps prepare for tsunami debris

 Canada – Queen Charlotte regional district directors are so concerned about the potential impact of tsunami debris on the north coast that they are inviting Premier Christy Clark up to talk about solutions to the issue

May 31, 2012 –  US-  Tsunami Debris Washes Ashore Near Prince William Sound

May 29, 2012 – TIME magazine reports on the debris

May 28, 2012 – Chemicals in tsunami debris could pose coastal threat

          It’s not the chemicals everyone worries about:  Radioactive tuna caught off San Diego coast

May 27, 2012 – California – Japan tsunami debris hitting West Coast

May 23, 2012 – Expert warns of debris deluge to come

  Alaska – ‘Unprecedented’ tsunami debris clean-up operation begins on Alaskan island… and there’s still 1.5MILLION TONS still to arrive

  Major clean-up begins as Japanese tsunami debris bombards Alaskan island

  Coastal communities must plan for tsunami debris

May 20, 2012 – NOAA lacks money and authority to lead U.S. tsunami debris clean up

  Hawaii – White substance washes ashore at Barber’s Point

  Alaska sightings of tsunami debris increasing, so what now?

  Washington – Coastal communities question tsunami debris cleanup policies

May 18, 2012 – Senator Cantwell: “Almost as if there’s an attitude that tsunami debris is top secret”

US Senator: Japan tsunami debris will be worst single pollution event to ever hit west coast of N. America, far exceeding Exxon Valdez — Raises radiation concerns during opening statement

Spy Satellites Used In Search For Tsunami Debris

May 17, 2012 – Senators ask hard questions about the US’s plans to respond to the 3-11 tsunami debris

  Juneau, Alaska – Debris gets local, federal attention 

  Cantwell gets few answers from NOAA at tsunami debris hearing

“The lead federal agency in charge of dealing with the tsunami debris from Japan can’t say what kind of flotsam will make landfall and how hazardous it might be. It also can’t say who will be in charge of clean up or even how 911 operators should handle debris sightings.”

  Canada – MLA questions preparedness of government to deal with tsunami debris

  [US] Coast Guard Gives Tsunami Debris Update – link to USCG testimony

May 15, 2012 – Australian to embark on tsunami debris mission – research sail voyage

May 14, 2012 – More on  the 5 Gyres Institute’s Japan Tsunami Debris Expedition

May 12, 2012 – Vancouver – Tsunami debris to swamp coast

  Canada – Environment Minister welcoming help with cleaning-up of tsunami debris

May 11, 2012 – Canada – Volunteers sought for West Coast tsunami debris cleanup

May 10, 2012 – Strontium 90 spread over 1000km evenly in Pacific ocean

Alaska House Democrats are asking for federal (debris) help

Tsunami debris could impact Alaskans’ health and seafood safety

May 8, 2012 – Washington –  What to do if you see debris on coastal beaches

The most important thing for residents to remember is “If you don’t know what it is, don’t touch it.”

Tsunami debris flooding onto Gulf of Alaska shores [PHOTOS]

Hawaii – Discussions on tsunami debris  from Japan will be held on Maui in June

May 6, 2012 – Sea-monster of tsunami debris starts to foul Alaska coast

May 4, 2012 – British Columbia – Tsunami debris merits respect

Alaska – Tsunami debris reaches Montague [PHOTO]

May 3, 2012 – Flotilla of tsunami debris on way — Alaska already inundated

“The thing that stands out to me is the amount of Styrofoam. Great big chunks – eight feet long to small broken up pieces. Urethane foam from walls that were destroyed. It’s an obscene mass. No way, in hell, that this is not tsunami debris,” . . .

May 2, 2012 – Tsunami debris onslaught called worse than Exxon Valdez oil spill

May 1, 2012 – B.C. – Canadian Museum Launches [Debris] Recovery Project

Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada – Piles of debris turning up on east coast beaches

Big tsunami debris washes up on beach in British Columbia [VIDEO also]

 1.5million tonnes of debris from Japanese tsunami is being swept towards the US [with IMAGES]

Alaska – Limited Money, Lack of Planning Could Complicate Tsunami Debris Cleanup

Ap.30, 2012 – Harley-Davidson With Miyagi License Plate Washed Up in British Columbia

More Tsunami Debris Washes Up on Alaska’s Shores

Ap.25, 2012 –  WA agencies prepare for tsunami debris arrival

Preparing for tsunami debris, wherever it may make landfall

Navigation Warning – Tsunami Debris on N. Pacific Routes

Washington – Officials ask public to be on lookout for tsunami debris

The mass of everyday items washed out to sea by Japanese tsunami begins to reach North America 4,000 miles away

Homer, Alaska – Tsunami Debris: Center prepares for beach cleanup

Ap. 23, 2012 –  Suspected tsunami debris found on WA beach

Edmonds, Washington – Captain Charles Moore, scientist, activist and author of the acclaimed new book Plastic Ocean will give a presentation  on May 11, at the Edmonds Conference Center

American who found balls swept away by tsunami happy owners are alive

Ap.22, 2012 –  Japanese soccer ball washes ashore on remote Alaska island

Fukushima: “Debris field has spread in length more than 2,000 nautical miles and is more than 1,000 nautical miles wide”

Beach clean-up on Washington coast may turn up tsunami debris

Washington – When will the debris from the tsunami in Japan reach Grays Harbor?

Ap.19, 2012 –  Japan tsunami debris tracking: Alaska volunteers wanted

The World Ocean Council is encouraging vessels transiting the North Pacific to send Japanese tsunami debris information to NOAA

Ap.17, 2012 –  Tsunami debris will hit Alaska, other coastal states sooner than expected

Ap.15, 2012 –  NRC Conference call to discuss Radioactive Waste that may return to US from Japan

Ap.14, 2012 –  New estimate puts tsunami debris closer to U.S. based on NEW NOAA Model

Ap.13, 2012 –  Oregon – Fishermen Fear Japanese Tsunami Debris

Ap.12, 2012 – Hawaii –   NOAA Officials to Brief [US] House on Tsunami Debris

Washington – Boat owner finds tsunami debris on Orcas Island

1.5 million tons of Japan tsunami debris heading to Hawaii, U.S. mainland

Hawaii – Marine Debris a Growing Concern (has info on Tsunami Debris observation sail)

Ap.11, 2012 – Oregon – Questions about tsunami debris to be addressed in public workshops

Seattle – Local Agencies Get Ready To Tackle Tsunami Debris

US and Canada Agencies Coöperate to Form Joint Tsunami Debris Info Center

Ap.10, 2012 – Audio File: Interview with nuclear expert, Yoichi Shimatsu,  on Rense.com.

says  the reason the US Coast Guard sank the so-called ghost ship was because it is too radioactive. They did not board it. They did not tow it. They did not remove the fuel. The interview can be downloaded here.

 Washington – Agencies prepare for tsunami debris

San Diego – County plans for debris from Japan tsunami :

” They’ve launched hundreds of drifters into the ocean and they transmit real time data about the water movement.”

Ap.9, 2012 –  Mapping Ocean Debris from Japan’s 2011 Tsunami (with animated MAP from NASA’s Earth Observatory)

US Senator Cantwell Statement on Sinking of Tsunami-Swept Japanese Vessel off Alaska Coast

Ap.8, 2012 –  We Wonder: Is this Russian plane flying out to look at debris?

‘Ghost ship’ just the beginning of tsunami debris impact

Ap.7, 2012 –   Congressional Research Service: “Tsunami debris might be contaminated with radiation from Fukushima Dai-ichi”

the 10 page report [in PDF format] is here

40,000 tons of drifting quake debris to reach N. America by Feb. 2013

Ap.6, 2012 –    Northwest fishermen don’t want to reel in tsunami debris

Ap.5, 2012 –    [US] Coast Guard fires on Japanese “ghost ship” –  BBC Video of it – some PHOTO – Reuters Video

 Tsunami ‘ghost ship’ to be sunk by US Coast Guard  TODAY!

Debris in The Sea is Eco-Tourism Attraction For L.A. Expedition: Tsunami Trash Explored

Apr.4, 2012 –  Debris from Japan tsunami tracked across the Pacific Ocean [has MAP showing present location]

Ap.3, 2012 – Concern for shipping traffic as tsunami ship drifts towards US

      Japan’s tsunami debris is wake-up call for Oregon – OpEd byDeborah Brosnan

      Tsunami ship becomes hazard in Alaskan waters

Ap.2, 2012 –  Oregon – Questions about tsunami debris to be addressed at public workshops

Alaskan coast guard watches as tsunami ghost ship drifts toward U.S. waters

 

MORE:

March 2011 – 2012 items here.

On the topic of radiation in the seawater or debris:
The cesium deception: Why the mainstream media is mostly reporting iodine levels, not radioactive cesium

Fukushima Contaminating the North Pacific

Shortlink for this page: http://wp.me/pA5vn-17K

[ This page will be updated as needed.

To find it in the future it will be linked at the bottom of the “Fukushima Info” page at the top of the blog. – F.C. ]