The purpose of the Action Plan is to specify the primary activities needed to reduce, and eventually eliminate, marine debris from Gulf of Mexico shores and waters. The Marine Debris Subcommittee has been meeting for more than three years. In that time, the Subcommittee has reviewed information and data collected by citizens and scientists, discussed actions that can resolve the problem, and evaluated methods for achieving and monitoring results. Fifty-five activities, called 'action items,' describe specific tasks that have been developed to meet the goals. Selected by the Gulf of Mexico Program Marine Debris Subcommittee are those activities that are most significant and most achievable. The document's list of action items is fairly comprehensive, but not exhaustive. It does not reflect all of the activities necessary to eliminate the problem, nor does it list activities in order of priority.

Cover title. Includes bibliographical references.