Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
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]