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Removing Typhoon Debris From Land and Sea in the CNMI

Thu, 2023-02-16 11:00
Removing Typhoon Debris From Land and Sea in the CNMI Posted Thu, 02/16/2023 - 11:00 Aerial view of a large pile of tires being lifted out of the sea by a crane.

More than four years after the destructive forces of Typhoon Yutu ripped through Tinian and Saipan, its remnants continue to degrade natural habitats and attractions that jeopardize tourism and economic growth in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance and its partners are continuing marine debris removal activities and marine habitat restoration in the waters and surrounding coastal areas of Tinian Harbor, northern coastal areas, and along Saipan’s southern shallow waters and coastlines.

Tags Pacific Islands removal emergency response

Meeting the Marine Debris Problem with Perseverance in the Pacific

Wed, 2023-02-01 11:00
Meeting the Marine Debris Problem with Perseverance in the Pacific Posted Wed, 02/01/2023 - 11:00 A large pick up truck and a colorful large derelict net is pictured on a beach before being hauled off.

Marine debris of all types continue to be a problem for island communities across the Pacific. Derelict fishing gear entangles important wildlife and damages coral reefs. Despite the marine debris problem in the Pacific, dedicated organizations and ocean stewards are working on projects to remove derelict fishing gear, clean up typhoon debris, offer alternatives to commonly used single-use plastic items, and much more. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to support these partners and projects throughout the Pacific Islands region.

Tags Pacific Islands removal prevention

From Ridge to Reef: Protecting Guam’s Marine Life Through Student Efforts

Wed, 2022-09-21 11:00
From Ridge to Reef: Protecting Guam’s Marine Life Through Student Efforts Posted Wed, 09/21/2022 - 11:00 Two recycling bins with student-created signage.

With its crystal clear waters and rich coral reefs, Guam is undoubtedly a hidden paradise in the Pacific ocean. It is home to five protected marine preserves teeming with aquatic animals and plants. Everything on the island is connected, from the mountain ridges to the lively reefs, meaning that even the tiniest actions can offset the entire ecosystem. The Ocean Guardian School project at Simon A. Sanchez High School worked together with five other schools across the island to minimize impacts on the ecosystem and reduce potential sources of marine debris.

Tags prevention education Pacific Islands

Clearing the Lady Carolina from Saipan Lagoon

Wed, 2022-01-26 11:00
Clearing the Lady Carolina from Saipan Lagoon Posted Wed, 01/26/2022 - 11:00 The Lady Carolina being prepared for removal.

The strongest El Niño episode in the Western Pacific, since the record years of 1997 and 1998, took place in 2015. Micronesia experienced over 30 tropical cyclones, and the chances of typhoons impacting the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands were significantly elevated. After several near-misses, in August 2015 Typhoon Soudelor directly impacted the island of Saipan. In its wake, it caused the initial grounding of the Lady Carolina, an 83-foot, steel-hulled fishing vessel, in Saipan Lagoon. 

Tags Pacific Islands removal ADVs

Small Communities with Large Efforts to Prevent and Remove Marine Debris

Tue, 2021-12-28 14:55
Small Communities with Large Efforts to Prevent and Remove Marine Debris Posted Tue, 12/28/2021 - 14:55 Community members remove tin panels off of a beach following a typhoon.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Pacific Islands Region of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Hawai‘i spans across 5,239,989 square miles, and is our largest region. Despite their geographic isolation, these island communities are not isolated from the issue of marine debris. Island communities face unique challenges around managing marine debris, including limited land mass, waste infrastructure, and currents that carry debris from afar. Five marine debris prevention and removal projects supported by the NOAA Marine Debris Program are in progress in the Pacific Islands Region. These small communities are leading the way with large efforts.

Tags Pacific Islands removal prevention derelict fishing gear

2021 Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan Released

Wed, 2021-12-08 11:00
2021 Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan Released Posted Wed, 12/08/2021 - 11:00 Cover of the 2021 Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan.

The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to share the 2021 Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan. This document is the result of a collaborative effort between the MDP and partners across Hawai‘i, including federal, state, and local governments, nongovernmental organizations, industry, and academia. It represents a partner-led effort to guide marine debris actions in Hawai‘i for the next ten years.

Tags Pacific Islands report

The Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan 2010-2020 Accomplishments Report is Now Available!

Thu, 2021-10-21 11:00
The Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan 2010-2020 Accomplishments Report is Now Available! Posted Thu, 10/21/2021 - 11:00 The cover of the 2010-2020 Hawai'i Marine Debris Action Plan Accomplishments Report.

The Hawai‘i Marine Debris Action Plan (Action Plan) was the first community-based marine debris action plan in the nation facilitated by the NOAA Marine Debris Program. Established in 2010 and updated four times, it is a comprehensive framework for strategic action to reduce the ecological, health and safety, and economic impacts of marine debris in Hawai‘i by 2020. This report provides a history of the Action Plan and celebrates the accomplishments of the community. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud of the Hawai'i Marine Debris Action Plan community and to present the 2010-2020 Accomplishments Report.

Tags Pacific Islands removal research prevention

A Mission to Mālama Through Marine Debris Removal

Fri, 2021-09-24 15:30
A Mission to Mālama Through Marine Debris Removal Posted Fri, 09/24/2021 - 15:30 The marine debris removal team atop large piles of removed fishing nets.

Wednesday, September 22 marked the completion of the marine debris removal mission in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The marine debris removal team arrived at Pearl Harbor aboard the charter vessel IMUA along with the nearly 124,000 pounds of marine debris they removed during their 30-day mission. Marine debris removal is of critical importance to both the natural and cultural components of the monument. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is pleased to have partnered in this collaborative undertaking. 

Tags NWHI removal Pacific Islands

Derelict Nets and Ghost Fishing: A Haunting Problem in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

Wed, 2021-09-15 11:00
Derelict Nets and Ghost Fishing: A Haunting Problem in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Posted Wed, 09/15/2021 - 11:00 Marine debris removal team members work together above and under water to remove a net from a reef.

The delicate and extraordinary environment of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (monument) receives an estimated 52 metric tons of derelict fishing gear every year from commercial fisheries all over the Pacific. Derelict fishing gear refers to nets, lines, pots, traps, and other fishing equipment that has been lost, abandoned, or discarded in the marine environment. Most modern fishing gear is made of long-lasting and/or synthetic materials, such as plastic and metal, that can remain in the environment for many years. Derelict nets and ghost fishing are a haunting problem in the monument, and their removal is an important part of protecting and preserving the unique native ecosystem of Papahānaumokuākea.

Tags Pacific Islands removal NWHI derelict fishing gear

Marine Debris Removal Mission Begins in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

Tue, 2021-08-24 01:38
Marine Debris Removal Mission Begins in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument Posted Tue, 08/24/2021 - 01:38 A marine debris removal team pulls a large derelict net mass out of the water.

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is integral to Native Hawaiian culture and is a sacred landscape. Unfortunately, marine debris has and continues to pose a significant threat to its natural and cultural resources. We are pleased to support the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center’s Marine Debris Project team as they launch a 30-day mission in the monument with support from the non-profit Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project.

Tags Pacific Islands removal NWHI

Plastic in Paradise

Tue, 2021-07-27 11:00
Plastic in Paradise Posted Tue, 07/27/2021 - 11:00 Take out containers, plastic bottles, and other trash mixed in with natural debris on a beach in American Samoa.

Located about 2,500 miles to the southwest of Hawai‘i, the U.S. unincorporated territory of American Samoa lies only a hundred miles and a jump across the international dateline from its cultural neighbor, the nation of Samoa. However, both islands share a fate similar to many Pacific island nations. Over the past few decades, problems with solid waste management have been exacerbated by limited space and a steadily increasing amount of imported goods and materials. Arizona State University, in collaboration with partners in American Samoa, received a grant from the NOAA Marine Debris Program to quantify the amount of microplastics and associated contaminants in American Samoa’s marine waters and marine organisms to better understand the potential risks to ecosystems and human health.

Tags research Pacific Islands

Lives and Livelihoods Disrupted by Marine Debris

Mon, 2021-06-07 11:00
Lives and Livelihoods Disrupted by Marine Debris Posted Mon, 06/07/2021 - 11:00 A debris removal team sorts through the collected debris.

For some, marine debris may simply be an unsightly inconvenience, but for many people around the world it is a critical problem that can affect all aspects of life. This is particularly true for indigenous communities, whose deep understanding of and reliance on the natural environment and ocean, for subsistence, cultural connection, recreation, and economic opportunities, makes them especially aware of the damaging effects of marine debris. Community regional expertise on the impacts of marine debris and nuanced relationships with the environment shape many NOAA Marine Debris Program-supported projects around the country.

Tags Alaska Pacific Islands Pacific Northwest removal prevention

Home is Where the Ocean is Healthy: A Community-based Approach to Addressing Marine Debris

Thu, 2021-05-27 11:00
Home is Where the Ocean is Healthy: A Community-based Approach to Addressing Marine Debris Posted Thu, 05/27/2021 - 11:00 A diver removes fishing line from a coral head.

Located in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian Archipelago is surrounded by thousands of miles of vast blue ocean. Hawai‘i’s crystal clear waters and landscapes are home to over 9,000 endemic species, making it one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. Hawai`i’s marine animals face increasing threats from human activities and Hawaii Marine Animal Response works daily with NOAA, the State of Hawaii, and other partners to conserve protected marine animals and reduce threats to their survival.

Tags Pacific Islands removal

Protecting the Pacific Through Resiliency and Creativity

Mon, 2021-05-24 11:00
Protecting the Pacific Through Resiliency and Creativity Posted Mon, 05/24/2021 - 11:00 Numerous tires on the bottom of a sandy lagoon.

The Pacific Ocean’s vast size and resources have brought those who call it home great abundance and a high level of resiliency. Today, these island communities rely on their resiliency to confront the issue of marine debris in an effort to protect the Pacific. Using community-based and creative approaches, dedicated organizations in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Hawai‘i are working to protect and restore marine habitats, prevent marine debris through product research and design, and mitigate the effects of derelict fishing gear on endangered and threatened species with the support of the NOAA Marine Debris Program. 

Tags Pacific Islands removal prevention

Locations and Languages: Marine Debris Curricula and Resources from Near and Far

Wed, 2020-08-05 11:00
Locations and Languages: Marine Debris Curricula and Resources from Near and Far Posted Wed, 08/05/2020 - 11:00 The cover of the U.S. Virgin Islands Edition of Understanding Marine Debris workbook.

As students and teachers prepare for a new year of learning, we are sharing educational marine debris resources that highlight the problem in different locations and different languages. Marine debris is a constant and challenging threat to communities all over the world. It can travel on currents across the ocean, reach remote shorelines where very few people live, and cause major problems for both people and wildlife. No matter where you live, it's important for us all to understand the problem.

Tags education Southeast Florida & the Caribbean Pacific Islands Alaska Back to School

How Currents Carry Marine Debris to the Hawaiian Islands

Mon, 2020-07-06 10:45
How Currents Carry Marine Debris to the Hawaiian Islands Posted Mon, 07/06/2020 - 10:45 Debris along the eastern shoreline of Eastern Island, Midway Atoll.

Imagine that you are watching a small paper boat float on a lake and suddenly a breeze pushes the boat all the way across to the other side. You can no longer see it and the boat is too far away to pick up and you consider it lost. Now imagine that the paper boat is a large commercial fishing net, and instead of a lake, it’s traveling on currents in the ocean. It too has moved away from its original location, moved out into the open ocean, and is considered lost or derelict. Marine debris of all sizes can move around the ocean, being pushed around by wind and currents, and traveling to far off locations, such as the Hawaiian Islands.

 

Tags Pacific Islands removal derelict fishing gear

Encouraging Tomorrow’s Environmental Leaders Today

Wed, 2020-06-03 10:58
Encouraging Tomorrow’s Environmental Leaders Today Posted Wed, 06/03/2020 - 10:58 Five people and a dog stand and smile for a picture.

Locally sourced seafood is particularly important for island communities as they depend on the ocean for food and economic opportunities. This connects the health of the marine environment with overall public health. Such is the case in American Samoa, where local seafood is regularly consumed and where marine debris, including microplastics, has been identified as a priority pollutant.

Tags education research Pacific Islands

Mitigating Marine Debris for World Migratory Bird Day

Wed, 2020-05-06 13:16
Mitigating Marine Debris for World Migratory Bird Day Posted Wed, 05/06/2020 - 13:16 A group of boobies sit on top of a mass of derelict fishing nets while the marine debris team works in the background.

It’s almost World Migratory Bird Day! Coming up on Saturday, May 9, we are working with Environment for the Americas to raise awareness on the importance of migratory bird species and celebrate the ways they connect our world. Unfortunately, the world of birds and people can collide in the ocean and Great Lakes, where marine debris can be found in even the most remote places, including far-off islands where seabirds find shelter and breeding grounds.

 

Tags removal Pacific Islands Northeast

The Challenges of Hurricanes and Marine Debris on Islands

Mon, 2020-05-04 11:47
The Challenges of Hurricanes and Marine Debris on Islands Posted Mon, 05/04/2020 - 11:47  Mariana Islands Nature Alliance).

Just imagine having the opportunity to wake up every day to the sound of waves, a myriad shades of blue, and warm, salty breezes…For an islander, there is no place you’d rather be! But what happens when nature shows its other face? The NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Florida and the Caribbean and Pacific Islands Regions include island communities that are uniquely impacted by natural disasters. Tropical islands are highly vulnerable to the impact of hurricanes and typhoons for many reasons, and one dangerous consequence is the amount of marine debris that is generated.

Tags Florida & the Caribbean Pacific Islands emergency response

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