Honolulu Port Reception Feasibility Study and Derelict Net Recycling Program
Pacific Region; 2005
Background | Project Scope | Results | Partners | Photo Gallery | 1-pager
Background
Hawaii-based longline fishermen often encounter derelict fishing nets when traveling to and from fishing grounds and when fishing in areas of current convergence where debris is accumulated. Derelict fishing nets and other fishing gear from domestic and foreign sources in the greater Pacific are safety hazards and can cause damage to vessels. Carried by currents, the nets wash ashore and snag on the coral reefs of the Northwestern and Main Hawaiian Islands, causing extensive damage and entangling marine mammals, turtles, and other wildlife each year. Over the years, many Hawaii-based longline fishermen have voluntarily brought these derelict nets back to port to eliminate the risk of future at-sea encounters. In the past, this marine debris has gone to an already stressed county landfill.
Project Scope
This project is two-part: 1) a feasibility study for the creation of a marine debris port reception program in Honolulu and 2) implementation of a marine debris port reception program based on the results of the feasibility study. The goal is to help reduce environmental impacts to coastal natural resources in Hawaii, reduce navigational hazards, and create new partnerships between private, public, and governmental entities.
Results
1. Port Reception Feasibility Project
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service's Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO), along with the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, conducted a survey of the active Oahu-based commercial longline vessels to determine the frequency (per trip) and approximate weight of encountered derelict fishing net over the last year. The volume of debris and method of disposal were recorded along with the feasibility and longliners' willingness to remove and transport derelict net back to a port facility in Honolulu. A determination was then made of the most economic and environmentally friendly approach to debris disposal. The study also assessed the feasibility and cost of providing beacons to commercial fishermen to satellite-tag encountered debris if they are not able or willing to remove material.
2. Honolulu Derelict Net Recycling Program
As part of this project, the Honolulu Harbor Derelict Net Recycling Program was created and launched in January 2006. Recognizing the efforts made by these longline fishermen, a private-public partnership was formed to help coordinate a more environmentally friendly approach to this debris disposal. A 31 cubic yard roll-off container is located at Pier 38 in Honolulu Harbor and serves as the derelict net receptacle. The receptacle is kept locked to prevent disposal of other types of materials. Schnitzer Steel Hawaii Corp. empties the container and transport the debris to their facility where it's chopped into smaller pieces. These pieces of net are then used to create electricity at the City and County of Honolulu's H-Power waste-to-energy facility run by Covanta Energy.
Thus far over 38 tons of derelict net and monofilament line have been used to create electricity.
Approximately 100 tons of derelict fishing net will produce enough electricity to power an estimated 43 Oahu homes for a year. Time, labor, and equipment are being donated by all partners.
-- Hawaii State Dept. of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism
Partners
Project partners include the Hawaii Longline Association, Schnitzer Steel Hawaii Corp., United Fishing Agency, Pacific Ocean Producers Fishing and Marine, Covanta Energy, Matson Navigation Co., NOAA, Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, Department of Transportation-Harbors Division, City and County of Honolulu, and University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program.
Photo Gallery
Photos of the port receptacle and partners.
1-pager
Download the 1-pager handout on this project here (pdf 551KB).
This project is housed within NOAA Fisheries Pacific Island Regional Office. It has been funded by the NOS/OR&R Marine Debris Program.
