The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water monitors and manages land-based pollution within the nations beaches and waterways. Acknowledging the need for public education and involvement in solving the marine debris problem, Congress passed the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act (MPPRCA) of 1987 (Public Law 100-220, Title II), Section 2204. In addition, Section 2204 of the MMPRCA authorized the EPA Administrator, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to conduct programs to encourage the formation of volunteer groups to assist in the monitoring, reporting, cleanup and prevention of ocean and shoreline pollution. Monitoring marine debris is an important component in dealing with this pervasive pollution problem, which impacts every major body of water on the planet. The information obtained from monitoring programs provides a roadmap for addressing the sources of the debris and can also be used to measure the success of programs developed to abate marine debris.