Large MArine Debris
The Micronesia Region encompasses hundreds of islands in a space characterized by industrial fishing operations and roughly one-third of the world’s tropical cyclones. This results in a substantial amount of large marine debris scattered throughout small communities that have little capacity for removal.
What is large marine debris?
PCRP removes large marine debris including ADVs and DFG.
ADV → abandoned and derelict vessel
vessels that are no longer taken care of and pose a threat to people and the environment
DFG → derelict fishing gear
lost and discarded gear that is no longer under the control of a commercial or recreational fisher
Vessel Removals
This publicly available dataset currently includes marine debris in the Marianas, Palau, and Pohnpei. Through this surveying effort, wreck removal funding sources (e.g. NOAA) now have a living geospatial dataset with which to review and select proposed marine debris mitigation efforts in the region!