The 7th International Marine Debris Conference launched its Call for Abstracts and Posters.
The 7th International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) will take place September 18-23, 2022 in Busan, Republic of Korea. This conference is one of the world’s largest and longest-running events dedicated to the issue of marine debris. The 7IMDC is organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The 7IMDC launched its Call for Abstracts and Posters, with a closing date of April 29, 2022.
Download the App today! (Image Credit: 808 Cleanups).
Submitted by: Michael Loftin, 808 Cleanups
The free 808 Cleanups App continues to empower community members to tackle marine debris! Volunteers enter data after every Adopt-a-Site cleanup and they can also track their hours when they tag themselves to staff-led events. Other great features in the app include our calendar with RSVP button, a free supplies request feature for active volunteers, and a search history of all cleanups sortable by category. You can send an immediate “Request Assistance” alert to the 808 Cleanups community when you need help tackling a derelict net or deluge of ocean plastics. Download your free copy today at 808cleanups.org/app.
Collected Data Since 2014: - 751,394 pounds of rubbish removed (all categories) - 1,691 group cleanup events - 42,587 volunteer engagements - 8,313 Adopt-a-Site cleanups
The Art of Trash Exhibition & Trashion Show 2022 (Image Credit: Mālama Maui Nui).
Submitted by: Annalea Fink, Mālama Maui Nui
Mālama Maui Nui is thrilled to announce that the Art of Trash Exhibition and Trashion Show is now open at MalamaMauiNui.org/ArtOfTrash! The Art of Trash Exhibition and Trashion Show is an annual, juried event that inspires community members to reimagine our resources, such as previously used materials, as elements for creative inspiration. All pieces are original work made from recycled and/or reused material. The pieces were photographed and compiled into a gorgeous magazine that is digitally available for viewing. The magazine is also available for purchase! To view and purchase the Art of Trash magazine and to vote in the Community Choice Awards, visit MalamaMauiNui.org/ArtOfTrash.
Learn more
4ocean staff, Max Lee and Kristen Kelly, position the trash bags for removal at DOBOR’s Ala Wai Trash Trap (Photo Credit: Kate Dolbier).
Submitted by: Kristen Kelly, 4ocean
Since October 2021, Ala Wai Canal & Harbor users have noticed industrial grade black trash bags floating down the Ala Wai at an alarming rate. By December 4ocean staff, the Hawai‘i Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), and Waikiki and Hawaii Yacht Club members had decided that the trash bags were intentionally being dumped into the Ala Wai Canal. 4ocean approached the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources to produce a news release, which was released on February 11, 2022. Since the news release, the Hawai‘i Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement has received tips and made several trips up the Ala Wai. So far, no one has been seen throwing these bags into the Ala Wai.
As of March 2022, the number of bags being removed by 4ocean staff and yacht club members has reduced but not yet stopped. Approximately 120 trash bags were removed between October 2021 and March 2022. 4ocean staff have been helping DOBOR maintain their trash trap at the base of the Ala Wai Canal and have pulled 2,800 pounds of trash out of the Ala Wai trap and surrounding boat harbor since October 2021. All harbor and canal users are all hopeful that with enough eyes on the Ala Wai the illegal dumping will stop.
Learn more
A CMDR technician photographing coral reefs in Kāneʻohe Bay (Photo Credit: Jennifer Lynch).
Submitted by: Raquel Corniuk, Hawaiʻi Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research
Hawaiʻi Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR) has partnered with Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology, The Nature Conservancy, and Makanakai Marine Services, with funding from the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, to monitor derelict fishing gear (DFG) strikes in Kāneʻohe Bay on windward Oʻahu. CMDR is using photogrammetry, the process of taking overlapping photos of a structure to create a 3-D model, to cover 3,250 ft2 of coral reef in a high-risk DFG strike zone. The model will serve as baseline data of the reef structure before any marine debris-induced damage; if and when DFG strikes, CMDR will quantify the coral reef damage and recovery through time.
Learn more
Glass bottles, plastic waste, and other debris litter a beach (Photo Credit: NOAA).
The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce the inaugural Board of Directors of the new Marine Debris Foundation. NOAA selected twelve individuals to represent diverse points of view, expertise, education, and experiences relating to the assessment, prevention, reduction, and removal of marine debris. This distinguished group will help the Marine Debris Foundation to begin operations and start augmenting federal efforts to address marine debris.
Learn More
Net Bin at Port Allen with heavy ropes and nets, placed in collaboration with DLNR/DOBOR (Photo Credit: Surfrider Foundation Kaua'i Chapter).
Submitted by: Carl Berg, Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i Chapter
Recycled large bins from the offshore commercial fishing industry were re-purposed and placed at Port Allen and Nawiliwili small boat harbors in mid-December 2021 to encourage ocean users to recycle derelict fishing gear. During the first year, 960 pounds of heavy ropes, line, and fishing nets, and 80.5 pounds of heavy-duty monofilament fishing lines were recovered. Monofilament most commonly used by local fishers is 130-pound test, which would equate to more than 11.4 miles of line! Now this won’t entangle turtles, seals, whales or reefs!
Because of the success of Surfrider’s Net Bin program, additional bins were placed at Waika‘ea boat ramp in Kapa‘a and Kikiaola harbor in mid-March, 2022 to encourage fishers using those areas to get rid of derelict gear appropriately.
An offshore fish aggregating device that was reported through the Department of Land and Natural Resources' marine debris form (Photo Credit: Kayleigh Grant).
Submitted by: Cathy Gewecke, Division of Aquatic Resources; Megan Lamson, Division of Aquatic Resources and Hawai'i Wildlife Fund
In January, the Hawai‘i Department of Aquatic Resources (DAR) provided testimony in support of HB1706 “RELATING TO SINGLE-USE PLASTICS: Plastic Bottles; Single-Use Plastics; Prohibition.” The bill proposed to prohibit the manufacture, distribution, and sale of single-use plastic bottles and rigid plastic containers, but was deferred in committee. Kona DAR also continued to facilitate and relay (in coordination with the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation) marine debris reports received via the online Marine Debris Response and Removal Reporting Form and help with the marine debris hotline. DAR was able to conduct a reconnaissance survey before and after the removal of an illegal mooring in February, and additionally relay information to State Parks for the retrieval of large rope that washed ashore at Kekaha Kai State Park (originally reported to the Department of Land and Natural Resources via Ke Kai Ola volunteers from Mahaiula). State Parks’ personnel were able to retrieve and dispose of the rope at the Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund bin outside the DAR Kona office.
The articles written by partners are not the opinions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and do not imply that NOAA recommends or endorses those expressed by partner organizations. These opinions and their associated actions will be carried out by interested partner organizations and are not affiliated with NOAA or the NOAA Marine Debris Program.
|