Download Net Loss: An Overview of Marine Debris in the NWHI

Net Loss: An Overview of Marine Debris in the NWHI
Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2006
June 14, 2006
Coral 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 Reserve
In recognition of the decline of
coral reefs worldwide, the US
began to take steps to protect the
nation’s coral reefs.
Recognized that the majority of US
reefs were in the Northwestern
Hawaiian Islands.
In December 2000, President
Clinton established the
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve by
executive order to protect this
ocean treasure for future
generations.
The NWHI Encompass
Two-thirds of the Hawaiian Archipelago
Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve
Roughly 1,200 miles long, 100 miles wide
Includes federal waters only (3-50 miles from
center of land features)
Largest conservation project in the US
Now under consideration to become the 14th
National Marine Sanctuary
Adjacent to State of Hawaii Marine Refuge
(2005) & Two National Wildlife Refuges
Global Marine Treasure
At a time when the world’s oceans
face serious decline, the NWHI
remain a grand oasis of life
One of the last predatordominated 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
Rich 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 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
of the North Pacific
Accumulation by Currents
Kubota (1994)
50°
* * * * * * * *
40°
30°
20°
10°
0°
120°
50°
140°
160°
180°
200°
220°
240°
220°
240°
40°
30°
* *
20°
*** **
10°
0°
120°
140°
160°
180°
200°
Why Should We Care?
The Impacts of Marine Debris
Wildlife entanglement, ingestion & death
Ghost fishing
Habitat (coral) damage
“Vector” for Alien species spread
Navigational Hazard/Vessel damage
Wildlife Entanglement
© 1990 Bob Talbot
© 1986 Bob Talbot
J. Baker, NOAA Fisheries
John Burger, U.S. Navy
Wildlife Ingestion
Alien Species Transport
Sea anemone
Hydroids
Barnacles
Crabs
CA Academy of Science
Mollusks
Algae
Polychaete worms
To Address the problem:
• A multi-agency clean up effort began in 1996 led by
NOAA Fisheries and UH Sea Grant
• In 2002, with funding from NOAA’s CRCP and the
NWHI CRER, the clean up effort was greatly expanded
• Efforts have included research on accumulation rates
and at-sea detection possibilities
• In addition, public outreach and education efforts
have been developed to build attention and support to
address the problem
A Multi-agency Program
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Ocean Service
Coral Reef Conservation Program
National Marine Sanctuary Program
State of Hawaii -- DLNR, CZMP
US Coast Guard
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Univ. 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 Society
The Ocean Conservancy
Ocean Futures Society
Covanta Energy (H-Power)
Hawaii Ocean Safety Team
Training Regimen
 Dive
 CPR/DAN O2
 STCW
 Small-boat repair
 Wilderness Medical Institute
and National Outdoor
Leadership instruction
 Small-boat handling &
advanced coxswain course
 Towboard training
 ArcView/GIS
Removal Process
Net Location
Net Removal
Net Analysis
On-loading
Net Haul
Land-Based Removal
“Surgical” Underwater Removal
Liftbag Operations
Manual Net Haul
Vessel On-loading
Disposal: Conversion to Energy
Offloading debris
Electricity!!!
Covanta Energy in Kapolei
Processing debris at
Schnitzer Steel
Annual & Cumulative Removal Rates
Marine Debris Removal Weights
600
544
485
500
Annual
Cumulative
400
Weight (tons)
359
300
241
200
134
107
100
66
5
5
8 13
28
41
118
126
68
59
25
0
1996/97
1998
1999
2000
2001
Year
2002
2003
2004
2005
Debris Hotspots
Annual Accumulation by Location
The Challenges Remain
• Despite the clean up efforts, Marine Debris remains and will
remain a primary threat to the NWHI
• Need to address the source of the problem
• Global issue
• Technology and human ingenuity continues to improve
• Ocean debris is “out of sight, out of mind”
Understanding the cause is simple,
figuring out the solution is complex and expensive
NOAA Marine Debris Spending
in the NWHI
Marine Debris Funding
$3,500,000
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
Year
20
10
FY
20
09
FY
20
08
FY
20
07
FY
20
06
FY
20
05
FY
20
04
FY
20
03
FY
20
02
FY
20
01
FY
20
00
FY
19
99
$0
FY
Funding Amount
$3,000,000
Marine Debris in the NWHI:
Next 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 Project
Role 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 Timetable
Summer 2006
Draft Sanctuary proposal
available for public review
Statewide public hearings &
Washington DC
Dec 2006
Final Sanctuary proposal
Early 2007
Sanctuary officially
‘designated’
For More Information:
NWHI/ Proposed Sanctuary:
www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov
NWHI Marine Debris Efforts:
www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/mdr.php
Or contact us at: [email protected]