|
7IMDC participants peruse research posters at the conference (Credit: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea and the United Nations Environment Programme).
The Seventh International Marine Debris Conference (7IMDC) took place between September 18-23 in Busan, Republic of Korea. Mahalo nui to all Hawai‘i participants for your valuable contributions to this international gathering. Your presentations and posters really highlighted the wealth of marine debris knowledge and expertise we have here in Hawai‘i. This conference is one of the world’s largest and longest-running events dedicated to the issue of marine debris. The 7IMDC was 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.
Learn More
A PMDP technician removes a derelict fishing net at Kamokuokamohoaliʻi (Credit: James Morioka, PMDP).
Submitted by: Kevin O'Brien, Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project
During the month of July, the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) completed a 30-day large-scale marine debris removal operation in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. To conduct removal operations, four zodiac inflatable boats launched from the 185-foot supply ship M/V Imua, each operated by a crew of four technicians. In total, over 97,000 pounds (enough to fill three shipping containers) of derelict fishing gear were removed from Kamokuokamohoaliʻi (Maro Reef), Kamole (Laysan Island), and Kapou (Lisianski Island). Due to inclement weather and other logistical constraints, efforts were concentrated primarily on Kamokuokamohoaliʻi, where 1,113 acres of reef were surveyed (encompassing virtually the entire atoll) and 87,000 pounds of debris were removed.
A second 30-day mission was conducted from September 15 through October 14 to perform debris removal operations at additional locations within the monument. View the interactive storymaps for these missions on our website.
Learn More
Plastic bags, fishing traps, buoys, and other debris on a New England shoreline (Credit: National Audubon Society Seabird Restoration Program).
Following a highly competitive review process, the NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to announce the 14 recipients of our 2022 Removal and Prevention Grant awards totaling nearly $3.7 million in federal funds, including funding provided through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act. Federal funding is matched by non-federal contributions, bringing the total investment in these marine debris projects to approximately $7.8 million.
Ho‘omaika‘i to Hawai‘i Pacific University‘s Center for Marine Debris Research and Parley Foundation Hawai‘i on their respective grant awards!
Learn More
Featured artwork: "Creatures from the Plastic Lagoon" (Credit: Sargenti’s Junkyard Gods).
Submitted by: Julia Rubenstein, Mālama Maui Nui
The Art of Trash & Trashion Show is now open for entry! Time to get creative Maui Nui! The Art of Trash & Trashion Show showcases our community's ability to reimagine, recreate, and recycle materials. Jurors make their selections for the live show based on the following criteria: transformation of material, good craftsmanship, and overall creativity. Prizes are awarded to winners of the Juror’s Choice and Community Choice Awards! Entry is open to all ages. Juror selected entries are featured in The Art of Trash & Trashion Show in April 2023. Enter your “art of trash” before February 1, 2023! Student and teacher discounts available!
Visit our website, Facebook, and Instagram to learn more.
Artwork by Ella K. (Grade 2, Virginia), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
Are you a student or teacher who’s passionate about marine debris? Then get your art supplies ready, because this year’s NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest is officially open! Students in grades K-8 from the United States and U.S. territories can submit their artwork now through December 16th. Winning artwork will be featured in our 2024 Marine Debris Calendar!
Learn More
A helicopter lifts a super sack full of marine debris off the ground (Credit: Trygve Larsen).
Submitted by: Barbara Wiedner, Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i Chapter
On August 28, 2022, Surfrider Kauai completed its 4th annual marine debris operation airlift, removing almost 11,000 pounds of marine debris from the rocky coastline south of Moloa‘a, on the northeast coast of Kaua‘i.
More than 193 volunteers put in 580 hours, over 17 weeks, gathering derelict fishing nets, plastic and polystyrene buoys, plastic bottles, and more to fill 31 super sacks that were removed by Jack Harter Helicopters. With the average weight of each super sack approximately 350 pounds, the debris weighed more than five tons. Additional large items including a derelict fishing boat, pallets, tires, and pipes added another approximately 1,300 pounds. Jack Harter Helicopters made a total of 34 runs. Timbers Kaua‘i Resort sent trucks and staff to remove the sacks for recycling and proper disposal.
The Surfrider Kaua‘i Net Patrol Marine Debris Removal Program is coordinated by Scott McCubbins and Barbara Wiedner. The program removed more than 60,000 pounds of marine debris from Kaua‘i beaches in 2021.
Learn More
Parley AIR Station educators connecting with a community group, explaining the marine debris upcycling initiative (Credit: Kate Doblier).
Submitted by: Joshua Gonzalez, Parley for the Oceans
The Parley Hawai‘i AIR Station at Bishop Museum is a community and collaborative hub for ocean issues. Over the last two years the Hawai‘i AIR Station has engaged with over 18,000 individuals from all over the world. To continue this outreach, we are searching for organized and passionate ocean stewards to join the AIR Station team as full and part-time AIR Station coordinators. Coordinators will work onsite at the AIR Station collaborating with schools and community groups by educating curious minds on the beauty and fragility of our oceans. Coordinators will operate machinery to upcycle marine debris into art, turning what was once a symbol of threat into a symbol of change.
To apply for this opportunity and find out more information please fill out the Coordinator Application Form.
The 2022 Hawai'i Marine Debris Action Plan Research Webinar Series will take place throughout November and December (Credit: NOAA).
Submitted by: Mark Manuel, NOAA Marine Debris Program
The NOAA Marine Debris Program is organizing a Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan Research Webinar Series. In alignment with the Action Plan’s research goal, these webinars will support the action to communicate and share Hawai‘i-based research projects. This webinar series will take place over five days throughout November and December between 10:00am - 12:00pm (HST) using the Google Meets platform (November 14, 15, 30 and December 1 and 7).
If you are interested in presenting your research projects, please email Mark with your preferred date and research topic.
Repavement construction on the pilot roadway utilizing waste plastics in the asphalt in ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu on October 11, 2022 (Credit: Jennifer Lynch).
Submitted by: Kellie Teague, Hawai‘i Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research
A new research project at the Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU) Center for Marine Debris Research (CMDR) is investigating the environmental impact of recycling plastic into roadways. Working with the Department of Engineering at UH Mānoa and with funding from the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, waste plastics were added to the asphalt binder of a section of roadway in ‘Ewa Beach on O‘ahu, which began repavement construction on October 11, 2022. HPU graduate students at CMDR will analyze water runoff from this repaved road for microplastics and chemical additive contaminants. If no increased environmental impact is observed and the performance of the pilot road is unaffected, recycling plastic into infrastructure could serve as a valuable long-term reuse option for plastic waste, potentially including marine debris such as derelict fishing gear.
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.
|
