Reducing Marine Debris: Derelict fishing gear removal programs in Hawaii, Washington and California

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Reducing Marine DebrisDerelict fishing gear
removal programs inHawaii, Washington and
California

• Kirsten Gilardi1, Russell Brainard2, Tom Cowan3,
• Mary Donohue4, and Jeff June5
• 1 SeaDoc Society, UC Davis Wildlife Health
  Center, Davis, CA
• 2 NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center,
  Honolulu, HI
• 3 Northwest Straits Commission, Mt. Vernon, WA
• 4 Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, University of
  Hawaii, Honolulu, HI
• 5 Natural Resources Consultants, Inc., Seattle, WA

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Derelict fishing gearRecreational or
commercial fishing gear that is lost or
abandoned in the marine environment
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• Types of derelict gear
• Nets - gillnet ,purse seine, trawl
• Pots/Traps - round or square, singular or
  multiple
• Lines/Ropes - longlines, lead lines, float lines

 
Photo courtesy of Cordell Bank NMS
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Why is derelict fishing gear a problem?

• Persists in the marine environment
• Entangles divers and swimmers
• Traps and wounds or kills invertebrates, fish,
  birds, mammals
• Degrades marine ecosystems and sensitive habitats
• Damages propellers and rudders, snags other
  fishing gear
• Endangers boat crews and passengers

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Model programs in US Hawaii
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Monk Seal Entanglements
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Model programs in US Hawaii

• Started in 1998
• NMFS partners
• NW Hawaiian Islands
• 485 tons of gear removed

And US FWS US EPA US Coast Guard US Navy US
Dept of State Western Pacific Fishery Mgmnt
Council Hawaii DLNR/DAR, CZM, DoR, DEBT
University of HI Sea Grant, City and County of
Honolulu Ocean Conservancy Hawaii Audubon
Society Ocean Futures Society and others.
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Model programs in USWashington State
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Model programs in USWashington State

• Started in 2002
• gt1000 nets, pots and traps removed to date
• Puget Sound and NW Straits
• State DNR divers, dive contractors, and urchin
  harvesters for removal work

Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife
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Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Procedures

• Location
• Removal
• Data Collection
• Disposal

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Gear Location

• Tow/Swim surveys
• Sidescan sonar (600 khz) for pots/traps
• Reports from individuals (e.g. fishermen, divers,
  boat operators) online, hotline
• Sidescan or divers to verify location, as
  necessary
• Prioritize gear for removal

 
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Gear Removal

• Excel files with GPS-referenced location data
  linked to Nobeltec navigation software
• Divers (free, SCUBA, surface-supplied air)
  /-two-way radio
• On-board hydraulic winch, float bags, cutting
  tools

 
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Data Collection

• Gear type
• Legal/illegal
• Biological impacts
• Owner identification
• Status (removed, disabled)

 
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Database Management
 
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Gear Disposal

• Repatriate gear identifiable to owner
• Recycle if possible
• Dispose at landfills  

 
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Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Programs

• Remove and repatriate lost and abandoned gear
• Help restore marine habitat
• Improve public safety
• Assist species recovery
• Engage the community

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Derelict fishing gear in California

• Every year DFG fields complaints from crab
  fishermen that derelict pots are affecting their
  ability to fish
• Bob Farrell, Dept. of Fish and Game
• Underwater surveying equipment frequently gets
  snagged on derelict gear, especially in Southern
  California.
• Ed Saade, Fugro Pelagros, Inc.
• Wildlife rehabilitators treat hundreds of marine
  birds and mammals with derelict-gear related
  injuries year-round.
• Marty Haulena, Marine Mammal Center Melanie
  Piazza, Wildlife Care
• Derelict gear is seen every time Cordell Bank is
  surveyed
• - Dan Howard, Cordell Bank National Marine
  Sanctuary

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California Derelict Fishing Gear Removal Pilot
Project, July 2005 - June 2006SeaDoc Society
California Coastal Conservancy

• Permits/MOUs
• Form technical advisory committee
• Write and test SOPs
• Create website
• Survey for gear, build database
• Identify divers and vessels for removal
  operations, train crew
• Remove gear

Photo courtesy of Cordell Bank NMS
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Thank you!
kvgilardi_at_ucdavis.edu [phone] www.seadocs
ociety.org