Geographic Response Plan (GRP) - Natural Collection Areas (Marine Debris/Oil Spills)

For full FGDC metadata record, please click here. Natural collection points (convergence zones) are areas that typically have large amounts of accumulating sargassum and other marine debris. Surface currents and wind patterns regularly push floating mats of organic/inorganic material to the same location where it becomes trapped or requires counter weather conditions to outflow. Many boat ramps, harbors and intracoastal waterways near inlets can create geographic boundaries where marine debris will consistently aggregate.