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
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
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
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
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
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: [email protected]@noaa.gov
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