1. Marine Debris Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

2. Introduction What is marine debris? Video

3. Objectives Determine when a Marine Debris Encounter form is required
Demonstrate your ability to complete the Marine Debris form

4. Marine Debris Encounter form
Gear & vessel interactions
Longline, gillnet, purse seine > each encounter
Trawl > vessel interactions only

8. What’s a FAD? Fish aggregate below

9. FADs Fish aggregate below Floating objects – natural & man-made
This bamboo raft is the float for a "bayao," which translates as "resting place." Like other fish aggregating devices (FADs) used around the world, this bayao was placed in the open ocean to attract fish, such as migrating tuna, that use it for shelter. The tuna can then be caught in nets. The raft is tied to a long nylon rope, which is weighted to the ocean floor with a cement block. About 30 feet down, coconut leaves woven together stream out from the anchor line, 10 feet in all directions, forming a mat under which fish (such as migrating tuna) hide. Image courtesy of 2007: Exploring the Inner Space of the Celebes Sea.

10. FADs Fish aggregate below Floating objects – natural & man-made
Allows tracking of objects

13. Activity
Use information on handout to complete a Marine Debris Encounter form
5-10 minutes

14. Summary Would you need a Marine Debris Encounter form for…
Plastic sheeting caught in the trawl net?
Abandoned gillnet caught in the prop
Crab pot entangled with your demersal longline?
Gear or vessel interaction for above?
Thanks to Carey Morishige (NOAA Marine Debris Program, Honolulu, HI) for assistance with form design and development.