By Lisa Tagal

Join IBSS in protecting the wildlife and habitat of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument! The Papahānaumokuākea’s Marine Debris Removal Project (PMDP) is dedicated to reducing the threats of marine debris, such as entanglement hazards, to species like the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal, threatened green sea turtle, threatened humpback whale, protected seabirds, and delicate coral reef ecosystems. The mission is to remove 115,000 pounds (52 metric tons) of marine debris and restore 1,000 acres of coral reef habitat during each 30-day PMDP cruise. The PMDP team will be exploring the shallow coral reef environments through breath-hold snorkeling and shoreline cleanups.

PMDP is a non-profit organization created to protect the sensitive wildlife and critical habitats of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) from the threats of marine debris. Their mission focuses on:

• Executing annual large-scale marine debris removal missions to Papahānaumokuākea to remove derelict fishing nets and plastics from the reefs and shorelines.
• Raising awareness of the dangers of marine debris and inspiring change through education and outreach.
• Engaging the greater Hawaiʻi community in the stewardship and care of Papahānaumokuākea.
• Working towards creative solutions for recycling and re-utilization of the waste stream.

Follow the PMDP team as they embark on a mission onboard a 180-ft. charter vessel, M/V Imua, from July 6 to August 3, 2023. The crew will be journeying to Papahānaumokuākea to focus on removing entanglement hazards and other dangerous marine debris from the shallow (0-30 ft. depth) coral reef environments via breath-hold snorkeling (free-diving) and shoreline environments.

All participating field staff are PMDP employees (contracted through IBSS – International Business Sales and Services Corp).

Follow along their journey: https://www.pmdphawaii.org/follow-the-journey.