Survey and Removal Efforts in the Main Hawaiian Islands
Derelict fishing gear (DFG) in coastal marine habitats presents a potentially lethal entanglement hazard to various marine animals, most notably the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the green sea turtle, and the humpback whale. DFG may also damage or smother sensitive reef habitat, act as a vector for the introduction of non-native species, and present a hazard to boat navigation.
While previous marine debris survey and removal efforts have focused on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center's Marine Debris Team has initiated a large-scale marine debris survey and removal campaign to address the problem in the main Hawaiian Islands.
In February 2006, the Marine Debris Team began a series of helicopter surveys to assess the distribution, abundance, and effects of DFG in the main Hawaiian Islands. By May 2006, aerial surveys were completed on the Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, Molokai, Maui, and Oahu. The widespread existence of derelict fishing gear in the main islands became apparent after the surveys allowed for the documentation of 711 individual sites.