Donohue, M. J., Boland, R. C., Sramek, C. M., Antonelis, G. A.

Derelict Fishing Gear in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands: Diving Surveys and Debris Removal Confirm Threat to Coral Reef Ecosystems

2001

Marine Pollution Bulletin

42

12

1301-1312

Marine debris threatens Northwestern Hawaiian Islands' (NWHI) coral reef ecosystems. Debris, a contaminant, entangles and kills endangered Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi), coral, and other wildlife. We describe a novel multi-agency effort using divers to systematically survey and remove derelict fishing gear from two NWHI in 1999. 14 t of derelict fishing gear were removed and debris distribution, density, type and fouling level documented at Lisianski Island and Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Reef debris density ranged from 3.4 to 62.2 items/km super(2). Trawl netting was the most frequent debris type encountered (88%) and represented the greatest debris component recovered by weight (35%), followed by monofilament gillnet (34%), and maritime line (23%). Most debris recovered, 72%, had light or no fouling, suggesting debris may have short oceanic circulation histories. Our study demonstrates that derelict fishing gear poses a persistent threat to the coral reef ecosystems of the Hawaiian Archipelago.

restoration; fishing gear; coral reefs; pollution effects; scuba diving; trawl nets; fishing nets; plastic debris; viewing underwater; solid impurities; marine pollution; contaminants; risk assessment; wildlife; hazards; fouling; fishery products; habitat_restoration

10.1016/S0025-326X(01)00139-4

FY2002 CRCP Project ID 2011; Project Title: Marine Debris Removal from NWHI; Principal Investigator: Mary Donohue and FY2002 CRCP Project ID 1014; Project Title: Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Debris Removal, Research, and Outreach; Principal Investigator: Rusty Brainard