Last week, the Gulf of America Alliance (GOAA), in coordination with the Texas General Land Office, began efforts to remove several derelict vessels in southeast Texas. Four vessels have been removed in Galveston County, with seven more planned for removal in Harris County.
With support from a 2023 award from the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program, GOAA is working in partnership with multiple agencies to complete this work. Mississippi State University Coastal and Marine Extension Program is acting as the overall project manager; the Oil Spill Prevention and Response Division of the Texas General Land Office identified the vessels and ensured the contractor complied with federal, regional, and local laws; Land & Sea Services
“We are proud to support this work in coordination with our Texas partners,” said Laura Bowie, Executive Director for the Gulf of America Alliance. “Removing these vessels improves coastal habitats for the people and wildlife that call this area home.”
“As a former resident of Galveston Island for more than a decade, protecting and preserving our coastal waters has long been a priority of mine. Safely removing abandoned vessels is critical to the GLO’s mission to protect marine life, coastal communities, and those who enjoy our waterways from hazards such as leaking fuel, toxic chemicals, and navigational risks” said Dawn Buckingham, Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. “I am thrilled that the ACTA yacht has been safely removed from Offatts Bayou through our partnership with the Gulf of America Alliance. I look forward to building on this success and continuing our work together to deliver meaningful wins for the Texas coast and the people and wildlife that call it home.”
GOAA is working to remove abandoned and derelict vessels and other large marine debris from coastal and marine habitats across the Gulf of America. In coordination with project partners, GOAA has removed over 75 abandoned and derelict vessels in Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas to date.
This work not only benefits the environment through the removal of debris but also helps us better understand and raise awareness of marine debris impacts.
