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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Marine Debris Survey and Removal Efforts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from 1999 to 2021 (NCEI Accession 0190879)

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The marine debris data included in this dataset are from annual in-water surveys conducted from 1999 to 2021 at the reefs, atolls and islands in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) by the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) with funding from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM), and NOAA's Marine Debris (MDP) and Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration (DARRP) Programs.

These surveys and removal efforts of marine debris were conducted primarily during ship-based missions to the NWHI, and also as fly-in missions. During a mission, surveys were conducted by divers based on small boats launched either from a ship or from the shore. Two survey methods were used to search for marine debris; tow and swim surveys. Tow surveys were used in the relatively even-depth (usually less than 10 meters deep), contiguous backreef habitats, typically at Midway Atoll, Kure Atoll and Pearl and Hermes Atoll. Two free-divers were towed behind a small boat to search for debris throughout the water column. Swim surveys were used primarily in the comparatively high-relief and patchy lagoonal reef habitats of Maro Reef and Pearl and Hermes Atoll. During swim surveys, two or more snorkelers swam across the reefs to search for debris while being directed by the small boats to follow pre-planned routes. Survey areas and routes were chosen based on regional reef morphology and past debris accumulation records.

During a survey, if debris larger than 0.012 cubic meters (size of a small toolbox) was encountered, descriptive information about the debris and its location (i.e., type, color, size, biofouling, estimated depth, substrate composition/color) were recorded and a GPS waypoint was taken. Debris was removed if determined to be safe to do so and without causing damage to the surrounding coral reef habitat. Once removed, the volume of removed debris was estimated and recorded. At the end of the survey or if the small boat reached its capacity, the boat returned to the ship or to the shore and the boats debris load was weighed and recorded. Up to 4 small boats in one day concurrently conducted surveys during a mission.
  • Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2019). Marine Debris Survey and Removal Efforts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from 1999 to 2021 (NCEI Accession 0190879). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0190879. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0190879
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 1999-10-11 to 2021-09-12
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -178.37245
East: -166.11265
South: 23.64915667
North: 28.45414778
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, 2024: Marine Debris Survey and Removal Efforts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from 1999 to 2021, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/inport/item/25089.
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2019-07-03
  • revision: 2024-03-19
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number.
Purpose The purpose of the marine debris survey and removal efforts in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands is to mitigate entanglement threats to wildlife, in particular to the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) and the threatened green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and to reduce the impact on coral reef habitats. The Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (PMNM) includes the 1200 nautical mile chain of atolls and islets known as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) that are geographically positioned as a repository for marine debris. Marine debris circulates within the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre until it encounters the atolls of the NWHI. The Ecosystem Sciences Division (ESD) at the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) has conducted both ship- and shore-based missions in the NWHI to survey for and remove derelict fishing gear and many other types of marine debris. Exploratory and opportunistic efforts began in 1996 that eventually evolved into annual cruises deployed up to 4 months at a time with a team of up to 18 personnel. The efforts prior to 1999 were focused on the removal of the marine debris, therefore data collection was inconsistent and not standardized. These marine debris missions have been supported by several agencies over the years, including PMNM, NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP), NOAA Damage Assessment Remediation and Restoration Program (DARRP), and the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP). ESD has removed derelict fishing gear and other marine debris from Pearl and Hermes Atoll (PHR), Midway Atoll (MID), Kure Atoll (KUR), Lisianski Island (LIS), Maro Reef (MAR), and French Frigate Shoals (FFS).
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2019). Marine Debris Survey and Removal Efforts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from 1999 to 2021 (NCEI Accession 0190879). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0190879. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Collaborators
Contributors
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • Funding Agency: Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
  • Funding Agency: NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program
  • Funding Agency: US DOC; NOAA; NOS; Office of Response and Restoration
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
CoRIS Discovery Thesaurus
  • Geographic Information > Marine Debris
CoRIS Theme Thesaurus
  • EARTH SCIENCE > Biosphere > Zoology > Corals > Reef Damage Assessment > Marine Debris
Provider Keywords
  • Derelict Fishing Gear
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Contributing Data Centers
  • CRED
  • CREP
  • Coral Reef Ecosystem Division
  • Coral Reef Ecosystem Program
  • ESD
  • Ecosystem Sciences Division
  • PIFSC
  • Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes Provider Platform Keywords
  • F/V Ocean Fury
  • M/V Casitas
  • R/V Freebird
  • R/V Katmai
  • USCG Walnut
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS CoRIS Place Thesaurus
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Gardner Pinnacles (25N168W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Laysan Island (25N171W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Maro Reef (25N170W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Midway Atoll (28N177W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Necker Island (23N164W0001)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (28N178W0000)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Oahu (21N157W0003)
  • COUNTRY/TERRITORY > United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands > Oahu Island > Oahu (21N157W0003)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (28N178W0000)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > French Frigate Shoals (24N166W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Gardner Pinnacles (25N168W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Kure Atoll (28N178W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Laysan Island (25N171W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Lisianski Island (25N173W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Maro Reef (25N170W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Midway Atoll (28N177W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Necker Island (23N164W0001)
  • OCEAN BASIN > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Northwestern Hawaiian Islands > Pearl and Hermes Reef (27N176W0001)
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Provider Place Names
  • NWHI
  • Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS CRCP Project
  • 1014
  • 1224
  • 20497
  • Marine Debris Survey and Removal from the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI)
  • Marine Debris Survey and Removal from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI): Maintenance Mode
  • Marine debris removal and assessment of debris accumulation rates in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
  • Marine debris removal from NWHI
  • Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine Debris Removal, Research, and Outreach
Send2NCEI Submission Package ID
  • DN26MJ
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Ecosystem Sciences Division, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (2019). Marine Debris Survey and Removal Efforts in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands from 1999 to 2021 (NCEI Accession 0190879). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0190879. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2019-07-03T19:11:58Z - NCEI Accession 0190879 v1.1 was published.
  • 2024-03-19T16:47:43Z - NCEI Accession 0190879 was revised and v2.2 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Parameter or Variable: DEBRIS (measured); Units: unitless; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: Two survey methods were used to search for marine debris; tow and swim surveys. During tow surveys, two free-divers were towed behind a small boat at speeds of 1-2 knots on a towboard (underwater wing) to search for debris and derelict fishing gear in the water column or snagged on the reef. The boat conducts a “lawn-mowing pattern” back and forth across the reef. Divers hold their breath, submerge below the surface and conduct a back-and-forth pattern across the reef visually scanning for marine debris. These surveys cover areas that include depths of ~0.5-10 m over hard or mixed (hard and soft) substrate. Divers measure water visibility at the start and end of each operational day. A minimum visibility of 7.5 m is required to conduct tow surveys. The swim/snorkel survey method was developed as a necessary alternative to survey reef areas that were too difficult to survey effectively with the tow method, such as lagoons or reticulated reefs that were too shallow, too irregular, or contained high-relief features. During swim surveys, two or more snorkelers swam across the reefs to search for debris while being directed by the small boats to follow pre-planned routes and to maximize survey area coverage..
  • Parameter or Variable: DEBRIS (measured); Units: kg; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: scale; Sampling and Analyzing Method: At the end of a survey (or when the small boat reaches carrying capacity), the small boat returns to the parent vessel or the operations center on land collected debris for the small boat is weighed and recorded. Up to 4 small boats in one day concurrently conducted surveys during a mission.; Data Quality Method: This is NOT the weight of the individual debris item that is part of the boat load, but rather it is the weight of the entire boat load that includes all debris records removed by that boat on that day for that load. If 4 boats surveyed in one day and each had 1 load only, there should be 4 unique weight loads for that survey day..
  • Parameter or Variable: DEBRIS (measured); Units: cubic meters; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The volume of marine debris removed was visually estimated and recorded at the time of removal.; Data Quality Method: Volume does not reflect in-water measurements (i.e., volume does not equal observed length x observed average width x observed average height). Volume = 0 if debris was not removed..
  • Parameter or Variable: DEBRIS (measured); Units: meter; Observation Category: in situ; Sampling Instrument: swimmer/diver; Sampling and Analyzing Method: The size (longest length, average width, and average height) of each marine debris item, as found in the water, was measured and recorded.; Data Quality Method: May be NULL if the debris was buried or could not be removed, or was opportunistically collected outside the designated survey area..
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • scale
  • swimmer/diver
Platform
  • NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette
  • NOAA Ship Townsend Cromwell
Last Modified: 2024-09-10T19:34:16Z
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