NOAA Removes 57 Tons of Marine Debris from Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
The NOAA Marine Debris Program funded the 33-day Northwestern Hawaiian Islands marine debris removal mission.
17 NOAA divers and additional crew members, including the program's Pacific Islands Regional Coordinator Kyle Koyanagi and Communications Lead, Dianna Parker, sailing aboard NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette have returned from the mission at lPapahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in Hawaii, a World Heritage Site and one of the largest marine conservation areas in the world.
In total, they removed approximately 57 tons of derelict fishing nets and plastic litter from the monument’s tiny islands and atolls, sensitive coral reefs and shallow waters. NOAA has led this mission every year since 1996, removing a total of 904 tons of marine debris, including this year’s haul. Follow the journey of the mission by visiting the NOAA Marine Debris Program's website.
For more information contact Dianna.Parker@noaa.gov or Kyle.Koyanagi@noaa.gov.
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