Marine debris is not a new topic but, the recent Japan tsunami washed 25 million tons of debris into the Pacific Ocean. The debris that are still afloat are headed toward the Hawaiian archipelago and the west coast of North America. Annually it is estimated 50 tons of trash accumulates in the Hawaiian archipelago and the influx of debris will only increase that number. The effects of the Japan tsunami will impact Hawaiʻi for many years in the form of washed up debris and the devastation it will do to the marine life throughout the island chain. It is vital that we become more mindful of the trash we create so that it stays out of our water and waterways of our beautiful Hawaiʻi.
Japan Tsunami Marine Debris FAQ http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/pdf/japanfaq.pdf
NOAA Marine Debris Program http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/
Great Pacific Garbage Patch “Why is the world’s largest landfill in the Pacific Ocean?”
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument http://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/welcome.html
International Pacific Research Center http://iprc.soest.hawaii.edu/news/marine_and_tsunami_debris/debris_news.php