Net Loss: An Overview of Marine Debris in the NWHINet Loss: An Overview of Marine Debris in the NWHICapitol Hill Oceans Week 2006Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2006

June 14, 2006June 14, 2006

Coral Reefs: Rainforests of the SeaCoral Reefs: Rainforests of the Sea

Often called the ‘rainforests of the sea’ coral reefs are some of the most productive ecosystems on earth.

They provide support as habitat for fisheries, protect coastlines, offer medicines and generate tourism.

Reefs are fragile and susceptible to human impacts.

Globally they are in decline.

History of the ReserveHistory of the Reserve

In In recognition of the declinerecognition of the decline of coral of coral reefs worldwide, the US began to reefs worldwide, the US began to take steps to protect the nation’s take steps to protect the nation’s coral reefs. coral reefs.

Recognized that the Recognized that the majority of US majority of US reefsreefs were in the Northwestern were in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.Hawaiian Islands.

In In December 2000December 2000, President Clinton , President Clinton established the Northwestern established the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Coral Reef Ecosystem ReserveEcosystem Reserve by executive by executive order to protect this ocean treasure order to protect this ocean treasure for future generations.for future generations.

The NWHI EncompassThe NWHI EncompassTwo-thirds of the Hawaiian ArchipelagoTwo-thirds of the Hawaiian Archipelago

Coral Reef Ecosystem ReserveCoral Reef Ecosystem Reserve

Roughly 1,200 miles long, 100 miles wideRoughly 1,200 miles long, 100 miles wide

Includes federal waters only (3-50 miles from Includes federal waters only (3-50 miles from center of land features)center of land features)

Largest conservation project in the USLargest conservation project in the US

Now under consideration to become the 14th Now under consideration to become the 14th National Marine SanctuaryNational Marine Sanctuary

Adjacent to State of Hawaii Marine Refuge Adjacent to State of Hawaii Marine Refuge (2005) & Two National Wildlife Refuges(2005) & Two National Wildlife Refuges

At a time when the world’s oceans face serious decline, the NWHI remain a grand oasis of life

One of the last predator-dominated coral reef ecosystems left on the planet

7,000 marine species, 1/4 of which are endemic

Nearly 100% of the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal

Nesting ground for 90% of all green sea turtles in Hawai`i

Global Marine Treasure

Rich Cultural HeritageRich Cultural Heritage

• In Hawaiian traditions, the NWHI are considered a sacred place, a region of primordial darkness from which life springs and spirits return after death

• Hawaiians inhabitated Nihoa for at least 700 years

• Numerous “wahi kupuna” (ancestral sites) provide evidence, along with songs, chants, stories

Remote But Not ImmuneRemote But Not Immune

Despite their remote location and absence of humans, the NWHI are still threatened.

• Up to 80 tons of marine debris accumulate each

year• Shipwrecks & vessel groundings• Pollution and oil spills• Alien Species

Ocean Currents Ocean Currents of the North Pacificof the North Pacific

120° 140° 160° 180° 200° 220° 240°0°

10°

20°

30°

40°

50°

120° 140° 160° 180° 200° 220° 240°0°

10°

20°

30°

40°

50°

********

* *** ****

Accumulation by CurrentsAccumulation by CurrentsKubota (1994)Kubota (1994)

Why Should We Care? Why Should We Care? The Impacts of Marine DebrisThe Impacts of Marine Debris

Wildlife entanglement, ingestion & deathWildlife entanglement, ingestion & deathGhost fishingGhost fishingHabitat (coral) damageHabitat (coral) damage““Vector” for Alien species spreadVector” for Alien species spreadNavigational Hazard/Vessel damageNavigational Hazard/Vessel damage

© 1990 Bob Talbot© 1990 Bob Talbot

John Burger, U.S. NavyJohn Burger, U.S. Navy

© 1986 Bob Talbot© 1986 Bob Talbot

J. Baker, NOAA FisheriesJ. Baker, NOAA Fisheries

Wildlife Entanglement

Wildlife Ingestion

CA Academy of ScienceCA Academy of Science

Alien Species Transport

Sea anemoneSea anemoneHydroidsHydroidsBarnacles Barnacles CrabsCrabs

MollusksMollusksAlgaeAlgaePolychaete wormsPolychaete worms

To Address the problem:To Address the problem:

• A multi-agency clean up effort began in 1996 led by A multi-agency clean up effort began in 1996 led by NOAA Fisheries and UH Sea GrantNOAA Fisheries and UH Sea Grant

• In 2002, with funding from NOAA’s CRCP and the In 2002, with funding from NOAA’s CRCP and the NWHI CRER, the clean up effort was greatly expandedNWHI CRER, the clean up effort was greatly expanded

• Efforts have included research on accumulation rates Efforts have included research on accumulation rates and at-sea detection possibilitiesand at-sea detection possibilities

• In addition, public outreach and education efforts In addition, public outreach and education efforts have been developed to build attention and support to have been developed to build attention and support to address the problemaddress the problem

National Marine Fisheries ServiceNational Ocean Service

Coral Reef Conservation ProgramNational Marine Sanctuary Program

State of Hawaii -- DLNR, CZMPUS Coast Guard

US Fish & Wildlife ServiceUniv. of Hawaii Sea Grant College Programs

City & County of Honolulu Schnitzer Steel Industries, Corp.

Horizon Waste Services, Inc.US Department of Navy

Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council US State Department

Natural Resources Consultants, Inc.Hawaii Audubon SocietyThe Ocean ConservancyOcean Futures Society

Covanta Energy (H-Power)Hawaii Ocean Safety Team

A Multi-agency ProgramA Multi-agency Program

Training Regimen

Small-boat handling & advanced coxswain course

Wilderness Medical Institute and National Outdoor Leadership instruction

Dive CPR/DAN O2

STCW Small-boat repair

Towboard training ArcView/GIS

Net LocationNet Location Net RemovalNet Removal

Net HaulNet HaulOn-loadingOn-loading

Net AnalysisNet Analysis

Removal Process

Land-Based RemovalLand-Based Removal

““Surgical” Underwater RemovalSurgical” Underwater Removal

Liftbag OperationsLiftbag Operations

Manual Net HaulManual Net Haul

Vessel On-loadingVessel On-loading

Disposal: Conversion to EnergyDisposal: Conversion to Energy

Offloading debrisOffloading debris

Covanta Energy in KapoleiCovanta Energy in KapoleiProcessing debris at Processing debris at

Schnitzer SteelSchnitzer SteelElectricity!!!Electricity!!!

Marine Debris Removal Weights

5 828 25

68

107 118 126

59

5 1341

66

134

241

359

485

544

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

1996/97 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

Year

Wei

gh

t (t

on

s)

Annual

Cumulative

Annual & Cumulative Removal RatesAnnual & Cumulative Removal Rates

Debris Hotspots

Annual Accumulation by Location

The Challenges RemainThe Challenges Remain

• Despite the clean up efforts, Marine Debris remains and will remain a Despite the clean up efforts, Marine Debris remains and will remain a primary threat to the NWHIprimary threat to the NWHI

• Need to address the source of the problemNeed to address the source of the problem• Global issueGlobal issue• Technology and human ingenuity continues to improveTechnology and human ingenuity continues to improve• Ocean debris is “out of sight, out of mind” Ocean debris is “out of sight, out of mind”

Understanding the cause is simple, Understanding the cause is simple, figuring out the solution is complex and expensivefiguring out the solution is complex and expensive

NOAA Marine Debris Spending NOAA Marine Debris Spending in the NWHIin the NWHI

Marine Debris Funding

$0

$500,000

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

$2,000,000

$2,500,000

$3,000,000

$3,500,000

Year

Fu

nd

ing

Am

ou

nt

Marine Debris in the NWHI:Marine Debris in the NWHI:Next StepsNext Steps

• Multi-agency clean up program is now in “Maintenance Mode” and led by NOAA Fisheries PIFSC and includes:– Targeted removal at high density areas (e.g. large

atolls)– Accumulation Rate Study

• U.S. Coast Guard removal efforts• Ghost Net project (R&D)/Census of Marine Debris• Outreach and Education focused on prevention

At-Sea Detection: Ghost Net ProjectAt-Sea Detection: Ghost Net Project

Role of the Future SanctuaryRole of the Future Sanctuary

Draft Management Plan includes an action plan focused on:

•Continued debris removal•Marine debris prevention & At-sea detection

Strategies include:•5-year removal and prevention plan•Research and development•Gain international cooperation•Outreach and Education

Multi-agency effort remains critical to success

Sanctuary Designation TimetableSanctuary Designation Timetable

Summer 2006Summer 2006 Draft Sanctuary proposal Draft Sanctuary proposal available for public reviewavailable for public review

Statewide public hearings & Statewide public hearings & Washington DCWashington DC

Dec 2006Dec 2006 Final Sanctuary proposalFinal Sanctuary proposal

Early 2007Early 2007 Sanctuary officially Sanctuary officially ‘designated’‘designated’

For More Information:For More Information:

NWHI/ Proposed Sanctuary: NWHI/ Proposed Sanctuary: www.hawaiireef.noaa.govwww.hawaiireef.noaa.gov

NWHI Marine Debris Efforts: NWHI Marine Debris Efforts: www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/mdr.phpwww.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/mdr.php

Or contact us at: Or contact us at: hawaiireef@noaa.govhawaiireef@noaa.gov