Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century

218 Pages·2008·6.04 MB·English

by  National Research Council, Committee on the Effectiveness of International and National Measures to Prevent and Reduce Marine Debris and Its Impacts

Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
Committee on the Effectiveness of International and National Measures to
Prevent and Reduce Marine Debris and Its Impacts
Ocean Studies Board
Division on Earth and Life Studies
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS 500 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20001
NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Govern­
ing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the
councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineer­
ing, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible
for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for
appropriate balance.
This study was supported by Contract No. HSCG23­07­C­MMS158 between the
National Academy of Sciences and the Department of Homeland Security. Any
opinions, fndings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication
are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily refect the views of the organiza­
tions or agencies that provided support for the project.
International Standard Book Number­13: 978­0­309­12697­7
International Standard Book Number­10: 0­309­12697­5
Cover: The front cover background image of debris on a beach was provided
by Anthony F. Amos of the University of Texas Marine Science Institute. The
image of the brown boobies on derelict fshing gear was provided by Dr. Dwayne
M eadows of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The images
of the entangled Hawaiian monk seal and the entangled sea turtle were provided
by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The back cover and
chapter­opening image of an abandoned fsh trap was provided by Wolcott Henry
2005/Marine Photobank.
Additional copies of this report are available from the National Academies Press,
500 Fifth Street, N.W., Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055; (800) 624­6242 or (202)
334­3313 (in the Washington metropolitan area); Internet, http://www.nap.edu.
Copyright 2009 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonproft, self­perpetuating
society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientifc and engineering research,
dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the
general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress
in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal govern­
ment on scientifc and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the
National Academy of Sciences.
The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter
of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding
engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its mem­
bers, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advis­
ing the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors
engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education
and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Charles
M. Vest is president of the National Academy of Engineering.
The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of
Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions
in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The
Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences
by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon
its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education.
Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine.
The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of
Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology
with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal
government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the
Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the
National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in pro­
viding services to the government, the public, and the scientifc and engineering
communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the
Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. Charles M. Vest are chair and
vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.
www.national-academies.org
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
COMMITTEE ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNATIONAL
AND NATIONAL MEASURES TO PREVENT AND
REDUCE MARINE DEBRIS AND ITS IMPACTS
KEITH R. CRIDDLE (Chair), University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau
ANTHONY F. AMOS, University of Texas, Port Aransas
PAULA CARROLL, U.S. Coast Guard (retired), Honolulu, Hawaii
JAMES M. COE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(retired), Kirkland, Washington
MARY J. DONOHUE, University of Hawaii Sea Grant College
Program, Honolulu
JUDITH H. HARRIS, Department of Ports and Transportation, City of
Portland, Maine
KIHO KIM, American University, Washington, DC
ANTHONY MACDONALD, Monmouth University, West Long Branch,
New Jersey
KATHY METCALF, Chamber of Shipping of America, Washington, DC
ALISON RIESER, University of Hawaii, Honolulu
NINA M. YOUNG, Consortium for Ocean Leadership, Washington, DC
Staff
SUSAN PARK, Program Offcer
JODI BOSTROM, Associate Program Offcer
v
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
OCEAN STUDIES BOARD
SHIRLEY A. POMPONI (Chair), Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institution, Ft. Pierce, Florida
ROBERT G. BEA, University of California, Berkeley
DONALD F. BOESCH, University of Maryland Center for Environmental
Science, Cambridge
JORGE E. CORREDOR, University of Puerto Rico, Lajas
KEITH R. CRIDDLE, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau
MARY (MISSY) H. FEELEY, ExxonMobil Exploration Company,
Houston, Texas
DEBRA HERNANDEZ, Hernandez and Company, Isle of Palms, South
Carolina
ROBERT A. HOLMAN, Oregon State University, Corvallis
KIHO KIM, American University, Washington, DC
BARBARA A. KNUTH, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
ROBERT A. LAWSON, Science Applications International Corporation,
San Diego, California
GEORGE I. MATSUMOTO, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute,
California
JAY S. PEARLMAN, The Boeing Company (retired), Port Angeles,
Washington
ANDREW A. ROSENBERG, University of New Hampshire, Durham
DANIEL L. RUDNICK, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla,
California
ROBERT J. SERAFIN, National Center for Atmospheric Research,
Boulder, Colorado
ANNE M. TREHU, Oregon State University, Corvallis
PETER L. TYACK, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts
DAWN J. WRIGHT, Oregon State University, Corvallis
Staff
SUSAN ROBERTS, Director
CLAUDIA MENGELT, Program Offcer
SUSAN PARK, Program Offcer
JODI BOSTROM, Associate Program Offcer
DEBORAH GLICKSON, Associate Program Offcer
SHUBHA BANSKOTA, Financial Associate
PAMELA LEWIS, Administrative Coordinator
HEATHER CHIARELLO, Program Assistant
JEREMY JUSTICE, Program Assistant
vi
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
Acknowledgments
his report was greatly enhanced by the participants of the three
workshops held as part of this study. The committee would frst
Tlike to acknowledge the efforts of those who gave presentations at
meetings: Holly Bamford (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin­
istration), Nir Barnea (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra­
tion), Michael Blair (U.S. Coast Guard), Ginny Broadhurst (Northwest
Straits Commission), Steve Collins (Cruise Lines International Associa­
tion, Inc.), David Condino (U.S. Coast Guard), Charles (Bud) Darr (U.S.
Coast Guard), Libby Etrie (U.S. Department of State), David Gravallese
(Environmental Protection Agency), Andrew Gude (U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service), Martín Hall (Inter­American Tropical Tuna Commission), David
Itano (University of Hawaii at Manoa), Jenna Jambeck (University of New
Hampshire), Lindy Johnson (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin­
istration), Ilse Kiessling (Charles Darwin University), Bob King (Marine
Conservation Alliance Foundation), Eric Kingma (West Pacifc Regional
Fisheries Management Council), Holly Koehler (U.S. Department of State),
David Major (U.S. Coast Guard), Rene Mansho (Schnitzer Steel Hawaii
Corporation), Thomas Matthews (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission), Scott Muller (U.S. Coast Guard), William Nuckols (Coastal
America), J. Michael Prince (University­National Oceanographic Labora­
tory System), David Redford (Environmental Protection Agency), Michael
Simpkins (Marine Mammal Commission), Christine Ribic (University
of Wisconsin), Seba Sheavly (Sheavly Consultants and The Ocean Con­
servancy), Rodney Smith (Covanta Energy), Mary Sohlberg (U.S. Coast
vii
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
viii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Guard), Heather St. Pierre (U.S. Coast Guard), Dick Stephenson (retired
captain of tuna seiner Connie Jean), Paul Stocklin (U.S. Coast Guard),
Michael Stone (Fury Group), Lisa Swanson (Matson Navigation Com­
pany), Steven Vanderkooy (Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission),
Howard Wiig (State of Hawaii), and Mark Young (U.S. Coast Guard).
These talks helped set the stage for fruitful discussions in the closed
s essions that followed.
This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen
for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with
procedures approved by the National Research Council’s Report Review
Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid
and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its pub­
lished report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets
institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to
the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain
confdential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish
to thank the following individuals for their participation in their review
of this report:
Anne D. Aylward, U.S. Department of Transportation, Cambridge,
Massachusetts
David Benton, Marine Conservation Alliance, Juneau, Alaska
Lillian C. Borrone, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
(retired), Avon, New Jersey
Russell E. Brainard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
A dministration, Honolulu, Hawaii
Ginny Broadhurst, Northwest Straits Commission, Mount Vernon,
Washington
Joseph T. DeAlteris, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
David G. Dickman, Venable, LLP, Washington, DC
Martín A. Hall, Inter­American Tropical Tuna Commission, La Jolla,
California
Ilse Kiessling, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern
Territory, Australia
Judith E. McDowell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution,
Massachusetts
Andrew A. Rosenberg, University of New Hampshire, Durham
Seba B. Sheavly, Sheavly Consultants, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Although the reviewers listed above have provided many construc­
tive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the con­
clusions or recommendations nor did they see the fnal draft of the report
before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Andrew R.
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ix
Solow, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts, appointed
by the Divison on Earth and Life Studies, and John E. Dowling, Harvard
University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, appointed by the Report Review
Committee, who were responsible for making certain that an independent
examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institu­
tional procedures and that all review comments were carefully consid­
ered. Responsibility for the fnal content of this report rests entirely with
the authoring committee and the institution.
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12486.html
Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.