Large floating abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is frequent marine pollution in the Hawaiian Islands and Palmyra Atoll

Published

September 29, 2023

Author(s)

Sarah-Jeanne Royer, Raquel Corniuk, Andrew McWhirter, Harry Lynch, Kydd Pollock, Kevin O'Brien, Lauriane Escalle, Jon Lopez, Katherine Stevens, Gala Moreno, Jennifer Lynch

Abstract

Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a major source of marine debris with significant ecological and economic consequences. We documented the frequency, types, sizes, and impacts of ALDFG recovered from Hawaiʻi and Palmyra Atoll in the Central North Pacific Ocean (CNPO) from 2009 to 2021. A total of 253 events weighing 15 metric tons were recovered, including 120 drifting fish aggregating device (dFAD) components, 61 conglomerates, fewer distinct nets, lines, buoys, and unique gear. The Hawaiian Islands were dominated by conglomerates and Palmyra Atoll by dFADs. DFADs were connected to the Eastern Pacific tropical tuna purse seine fishery. Windward O'ahu experienced up to seven events or 1800 kg of ALDFG per month. Across Hawaiʻi, ALDFG was present on 55 % of survey days, including hotspots with 100 % occurrence. Coral reef damage, entangled wildlife, navigational and removal costs are reported. The data highlight the large magnitude of ALDFG and associated impacts in the CNPO.

Citation

Marine Pollution Bulletin

Volume

196

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115585

Local Download

Keywords

derelict fishing gear, plastic pollution, fish aggregating device, protected species, marine protected areas, ghost fishing

Citation

Royer, S. , Corniuk, R. , McWhirter, A. , Lynch, H. , Pollock, K. , O'Brien, K. , Escalle, L. , Lopez, J. , Stevens, K. , Moreno, G. and Lynch, J. (2023), Large floating abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is frequent marine pollution in the Hawaiian Islands and Palmyra Atoll, Marine Pollution Bulletin, [online], https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115585, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=936751 (Accessed April 28, 2024)