In just over three years, a program led by Hawaii Pacific University is proving that fishermen can play a key role in tackling marine debris at sea.

The university’s Center for Marine Debris Research (HPU CMDR) announced that its “Bounty Project” has removed more than 185,000 pounds of derelict fishing gear, also known as ghost gear, from the North Pacific since launching in Nov. 2022. The effort is one of the only three known projects actively removing debris in the distant North Pacific Garbage Patch.

The program works by turning commercial fishing vessels into cleanup platforms. Through partnerships with the Hawaii Longline Association and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources, fishermen are compensated to recover lost nets, lines, and floats during their normal fishing trips.

“It is incredible that we are now approaching 200,000 pounds of DFG removed from the ocean through this project,” says HPU CMDR project manager Katie Stevens, “and it has been great to see the enthusiasm and engagement of the commercial fishers as stewards of the ocean environment.”

Supported by a 2022 award from NOAA’s Marine Debris Program, with matching funds from Ocean Conservancy, the project has documented more than 690 gear recovery events involving 77 commercial fishermen and over 2,100 volunteer hours.

Participants often recover gear quickly after spotting it. According to the project’s final report, non-longline fishermen removed debris within one hour of detection 76 percent of the time.

Recovered nets and lines are processed ashore, with most material sent through Hawaii’s “Net-to-energy” system, where it is shredded and used to generate electricity. Smaller portions are also being tested for recycling, including use in experimental road pavement projects.

Project leaders say continued funding will be needed to expand offshore recovery efforts and develop long-term strategies to prevent ghost gear from remaining in the ocean.