Volunteers remove 2,000 pounds of derelict fishing gear from Kaua‘i coastline

Over the course of the three days, 30 volunteers helped remove more than 2,000 pounds of derelict fishing gear from Po‘ipū coastline, hauling away three truckloads of the marine debris.

The nets first washed up on the cliffs Po‘ipū Palms on Jan. 29 where they floated in the ocean for two weeks attached to the rocks. The debris eventually broke free and washed up onto rocks where volunteers were able to cut it up and haul it out of the area.

Barbara Wiedner, volunteer at Surfrider said they received 20 calls about the nets to the nonprofit’s Net Patrol hotline. The group initially attempted to remove the debris with boats but the high surf wouldn’t allow them to get close enough to safely pull it out of the water.

Volunteers started working on getting the nets out of the area on Feb. 14. Lynn Bowen, volunteer with Surfrider said they used steak knives and sawzaws to cut it up as it was hooked around a giant boulder snagged on sharp lava.

“There was other assorted plastic stuff all mixed together like a dreadlock and it doesn’t come apart,” Bowen said the debris.

Parts of the net cut loose had been winched up and volunteers pulled it out so it didn’t float back into the ocean.

As volunteers worked to free the net off the rocks, turtles would come and feed on the seaweed in the area, including what had grown on the debris itself.

Pods of dolphins were seen every day while volunteers worked.

“There were times when waves would come and crash over people working on the net,” Bowen said.

Luckily, no marine life was caught up in the net.

A paddler also helped to scoop out some small pieces of floating net in the water.

“Mahalo to everyone who put out the word to others for help when it was in the water and we were unable to manage it,” Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i chapter stated in a Facebook post.

Aside from Surfrider Foundation, the Division of Aquatics Resources with the Department of Land and Natural Resources along with nonprofit groups Mālama i Nā Honu, Ho‘omalu Ke Kai and Kaua‘i Ocean Awareness helped haul the net out.

The landscaping crew and manager at Makahuena Condos also assisted.

To report a net on the beach, contact Bowen at 808-635-2593 or [email protected]. Tipsters can also call 833-4-DA-NETS.