; Whereas marine debris harms our coastal economies, endangers marine life, destroys important marine habitats, propagates invasive species, and creates hazardous conditions for the maritime industry; Whereas tiny pieces of plastics, fibers, fragments, and microbeads also make their way into the marine food web, blocking digestive tracts, altering growth, and in some cases killing animals and marine organisms; Whereas marine debris is considered a growing global crisis that requires collaborative work with partners from across the world; Whereas the United Nations has recognized that vulnerable communities disproportionately suffer the consequences of environmental degradation caused by plastic pollution and recognizes that environmental justice should be a consideration in marine conservation; Whereas we need to improve our understanding of the implications of environmental stressors, such as ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, marine debris, warming ocean temperatures, overfishing, and rising sea levels; Whereas many of these environmental stressors are indicators of a changing climate and threaten our economy and the livelihood of vulnerable coastal communities; Whereas 5 to 30 percent of global harvestable fish stocks are affected by ghost gear every year, threatening global food security, coastal communities, and fisher livelihoods; Whereas across the United States, coastal communities contribute $9,500,000,000,000 to the United States economy annually as well as support 58,300,000 jobs; Whereas, in 2008, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 8 as World Oceans Day ; and Whereas World Oceans Day provides an opportunity to recommit to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our ocean and its resources: Now, therefore, be it