Clean Ocean Action: Protecting Marine Waters Since 1984

Headquartered in Highlands, New Jersey, Clean Ocean Action (COA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to cleaning up and protecting the marine waters off the New Jersey/New York coast. COA was founded in 1984 by a coalition of business, community, student, service, boating, diving, surfing, fishing, conservation, environmental, religious, and women's groups to investigate the sources, effects, and solutions of ocean pollution. As a leading national and regional voice working to protect waterways, COA utilizes science, research, citizen action, public education, and law to maintain the health of the marine ecosystem.

Always keeping up with the changing needs of the ocean and legislative initiatives, the non-profit's current areas of focus include dredging, wastewater discharges, contaminated sediments disposal, offshore energy development, marine debris and clean beaches, and swimmable and fishable waters, among others. Since its inception, Clean Ocean Action has worked to improve programs and laws that protect public health at beaches, educate and motivate citizens to take action, reduce plastics and litter in waterways, protect coasts from oil and gas drilling in the ocean, and more.


COA's campaigns begin with the staff researching pollution issues affecting the marine environment. They then create policy and campaigns to eliminate each source of pollution and coordinate with members of the coalition to hold press events and rallies, write letters, make phone calls, distribute literature, testify at public hearings, and the like. To date, COA has helped close eight ocean dump sites and reached hundreds of thousands of people.

Additionally, its Beach Sweeps program has seen more than 100,000 volunteers collect information on over 5 million pieces of trash from the Jersey shore since 1985, making it the largest grassroots environmental event in NJ. Beach Sweeps, which started with 75 volunteers nearly 30 years ago, is more than just about picking up trash. Volunteers record data about each piece of debris, and this information is then compiled in an annual report that provides evidence to reduce litter.