Surfrider Kauai actively responds to call form our Ohana and goes out and removes discarded fishing nets, cargo net, fishing line and other large debris from the reefs and the beaches all along Kauai’s shore. Whales, turtles, and monk seals get entangled in this debris and are killed so we try to act quickly to remove the nets from the beaches before they are washed back out to sea. These nets and lines are huge. In 2010 we had 11 Net Patrol excursions, involving Surfriders, members of our Ohana, and tourists visiting the islands. The nets and debris are taken from the beach and stored at Scott Bacon’s yard until such time that we can fill a 20’ shipping container. Scott does coral reef environmental work with Malama Na ‘Apapa www.kauaicoral.com and is a major partner with Surfrider Kauai. The nets are then shipped to Oahu courtesy of Matson Navigation Company, picked up at the docks by the Schnitzer Steel Industries recycling company there, shredded by them, and delivered and burned in the H-Power plant on Oahu to provide electricity. That way it does not fill our garbage dumps, there is no chance of it ending up back in the ocean, and it provides electricity.
If you are interested in participating in the Net Patrol, want to report a net on the beach, or would like to find out more, contact Project Manager Barbara at 808-635-2593 or Bwiednerrealtor@aol.com
Recent Net Patrol posts:
- June 23, 2012 - Kealia & Donkey Beaches beach clean-up / net removal - 15-05-2012
- Earth Day events - April 18-21, 2012 - 06-04-2012
- Nawiliwili Harbor Beach Clean-up & Net Patrol - 03-02-2012
- Surfrider Kauai Tackles Marine Debris at Larsen's Beach - 23-02-2009
