Hawai'i's ALDFG bounty program contributes to removal, prevention, recycling, and partnerships

Large conglomerates of nets and lines make up the majority of plastic marine debris found in Hawai'i. These floating masses of tangled Abandoned, Lost or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) are observed to damage coral reef habitat, entangle endangered species, create navigational hazards, and damage vessels and active fishing gear. Most marine debris removal in the state happens on the shoreline, but removal of ALDFG at-sea by vessels of opportunity can protect nearshore environments and reduce entanglement hazards to protected species and human property. Additionally, removal of ALDFG prevents the degradation process of these plastics into micro and nanoplastics. Hawaiʻi-based longline vessels operate within the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is hundreds of kilometers northeast but the main source of marine debris in Hawai'i. To date, 14 metric tons of debris have been removed under the program. Fishers bring the ALDFG to O'ahu, where the Center for Marine Debris Research receives and transports it to a warehouse for drying, weighing and analyzing. The debris is studied, firstly, to better understand sources and transport of the debris so that specific prevention strategies can be suggested. Secondly, the polymer composition of the gear is chemically identified for future recycling opportunities. After a successful pilot project, we scaled up an ALDFG bounty program in which 150 vessels in the Hawaii-based longline fleet, plus other local commercial fishers, are paid $1 per dry pound for ALDFG removed at-sea. The bounty payments do not exceed but helps offset these costs, and they further incentivize Hawaiʻi fishers to remove the debris at sea. Financial compensation for in-water removal of ALDFG did not previously exist in Hawai'i. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559131/document