GhostNet 2005 - High Seas Debris Detection and Tracking in the North Pacific

To develop tools for locating, assessing and preventing the
environmental and navigational impact of marine debris and ghostnets in the Pacific Ocean

To identify and prioritize the likely locations of marine debris and ghostnets using remote sensing and oceanographic modelling

To use this information to search oceanic convergence zones for ghostnets and marine debris

To develop debris identification capacity using GPS tracking buoys, LIDAR and other airborne and remote sensors and Geographic Information Systems as the search tools

To create a data and information system and web enabled maps for project implementation

To assess potential risks of marine debris to Alaskan and Hawaiian fisheries, the coastal environment and navigation

To communicate results of the project to stakeholders

In order to search efficiently for marine debri and ghostnets, one needs
information on where they are likely to be. This can come from:

(1) Historical information (i.e. recent sightings in the past)
(2) Chance sightings (i.e. where debris has been sighted by Coast Guard
or fishing vessels, research cruises, or aircraft)
(3) Knowledge of ocean conditions conducive to collection of marine
debris.

Although this project will take advantage of the first two sources of
information, we will rely to a great extent on the third source of
information since this would form the mainstay of an operational
program to recapture hazardous debris in the open ocean.

Using historical and current satellite data, we will identify and locate
convergence zones (CV) in the North Pacific since these are likely places
for the concentration of marine debris. The same forcing factors that
concentrate debris may also concentrate biological productivity
and activity. As a result, there may be a significant overlap between the
location of the nets and the location of marine organisms at risk of
entanglement.

We therefore propose to identify and prioritize the most likely
convergence zones. Upon creating our model, we will
utilize satellite and airborne remote sensing techniques (LIDAR,
gated imaging, thermal and high resolution multi-spectral imagery
and synthetic aperture radar technology) to search these high-risk areas
to locate and map marine debris. The data gathered will be made
available to aid in the removal or destruction of ghostnets. In addition,
net spectral signatures will be analyzed and compared with satellite data
for continued refinement and possible future satellite detection of these
nets.