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P R O J E C T — O B J E C T I V E S
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To identify and prioritize the likely locations of marine debris and ghostnets using remote sensing and oceanographic modelling
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To use this information to search oceanic convergence zones for ghostnets and marine debris
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To develop debris identification capacity using GPS tracking buoys, LIDAR and other airborne and remote sensors and Geographic Information Systems as the search tools
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To create a data and information system and web enabled maps for project implementation
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To assess potential risks of marine debris to Alaskan and Hawaiian fisheries, the coastal environment and navigation
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To communicate results of the project to stakeholders |
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A high seas driftnet is 8-15 meters deep made of fine nylon mesh with floats attached to the top and weights to the bottom. They are nearly transparent, and are set below the surface to drift overnight. Between 2 - 90 kilometers in length, driftnets function as "hanging walls of death" for nearly everything they encounter.
Despite being banned by the United Nations, legal and illegal drifnet operations continue, wreaking havoc on marine fisheries and wildlife populations. In addition, lost and discarded driftnets (or ghostnets) may continue to "ghost" fish for years in the open ocean, or become entangled on fragile coral reefs, or wash ashore — each instance posing a threat to marine wildlife.
The detection and real-time monitoring of these ghostnets at sea has been impossible until recent advancements in remote-sensing technology.
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Project Mission
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To develop tools for locating, assessing and preventing the environmental and navigational impact of marine debris and ghostnets in the Pacific Ocean |
Project Overview
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| In order to search efficiently for marine debri and ghostnets, one needs information on where they are likely to be. This can come from: |
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Historical information (i.e. recent sightings in the past) |
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Chance sightings (i.e. where debris has been sighted by Coast Guard or fishing vessels, research cruises, or aircraft) |
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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.
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©2008 High Seas GhostNet 4338 Gunflint Trail, Wasilla, AK 99654
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