Floatable marine debris items, once they enter the ocean, move via oceanic currents and atmospheric winds. Factors that affect currents and winds, such as El Nino and season, also affect the movement of marine debris in the ocean. Debris items can be carried far from its origin, which makes it difficult to determine exactly where an item came from (i.e., source).
North Pacific Ocean
In the north Pacific Ocean, a marine debris hot spot known as the Subtropical Convergence Zone (STCZ) concentrates debris. Floatable debris concentrates in this area because surface waters come together, driven by winds. This hot spot shifts southward over the Hawaiian Archipelago during winter months leading to an accumulation of marine debris in Hawaii.
Map showing the location of the north Pacific marine debris hot spot
or Subtropical Convergence Zone. Surrounding that area are the four
currents
that make up the north Pacific Subtropical Gyre.
For more information on the movement of marine debris in the north Pacific Ocean and what is being done to address this issue visit:
- Focusing Efforts to Detect Derelict Fishing Gear at Sea in the North Pacific (Pacific, 2008)
- At-Sea Detection of Derelict Fishing Gear Debris in the North Pacific
- NWHI Derelict Fishing Gear Accumulation (NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center Web site)
- High Seas GhostNet Project
- List of Related Publications and Literature
