1. Net Loss: An Overview of Marine Debris in the NWHI Capitol Hill Oceans Week 2006 June 14, 2006

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The NWHI Encompass Two-thirds of the Hawaiian Archipelago

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

15. 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

16. Ocean Currents of the North Pacific

23. Accumulation by Currents Accumulation by Currents Kubota (1994)

25. Why Should We Care? The Impacts of Marine Debris Wildlife entanglement, ingestion & death Wildlife entanglement, ingestion & death Ghost fishing Ghost fishing Habitat (coral) damage Habitat (coral) damage “Vector” for Alien species spread “Vector” for Alien species spread Navigational Hazard/Vessel damage Navigational Hazard/Vessel damage

26. © 1990 Bob Talbot John Burger, U.S. Navy © 1986 Bob Talbot J. Baker, NOAA Fisheries Wildlife Entanglement

27. Wildlife Ingestion

28. CA Academy of Science Alien Species Transport Sea anemone Sea anemone Hydroids Hydroids Barnacles Barnacles Crabs Crabs Mollusks Mollusks Algae Algae Polychaete worms Polychaete worms

29. To Address the problem: A multi-agency clean up effort began in 1996 led by NOAA Fisheries and UH Sea GrantA 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 expandedIn 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 possibilitiesEfforts 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 problemIn addition, public outreach and education efforts have been developed to build attention and support to address the problem

30. 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 A Multi-agency Program

31. Training Regimen  Small-boat handling & advanced coxswain course  Wilderness Medical Institute and National Outdoor Leadership instruction  Dive  CPR/DAN O 2  STCW  Small-boat repair  Towboard training  ArcView/GIS

32. Net Location Net Removal Net Haul On-loading Net Analysis Removal Process

33. Land-Based Removal

34. “Surgical” Underwater Removal

35. Liftbag Operations

36. Manual Net Haul

37. Vessel On-loading

38. Disposal: Conversion to Energy Offloading debris Offloading debris Covanta Energy in Kapolei Processing debris at Schnitzer Steel Electricity!!!

39. Annual & Cumulative Removal Rates

40. Debris Hotspots

41. Annual Accumulation by Location

42. 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

43. NOAA Marine Debris Spending in the NWHI

44. 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

45. At-Sea Detection: Ghost Net Project

46. 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

47. 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’

48. For More Information: NWHI/ Proposed Sanctuary: www.hawaiireef.noaa.gov www.hawaiireef.noaa.govwww.hawaiireef.noaa.gov NWHI Marine Debris Efforts: www.pifsc.noaa.gov/cred/mdr.php Or contact us at: hawaiireef@noaa.gov