Hawaii-based team heads to Papahānaumokuākea to remove marine debris

Sep 09, 2026

A Hawaii dive team is setting out on its final cleanup run of the year in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, good news for reefs and wildlife choking on plastic.

  • The crew plans to pull 100,000 pounds of fishing nets and plastic out of Papahānaumokuākea during a 25-day trip.
  • They work as freedivers, holding their breath while cutting abandoned nets off coral reefs.
  • Over six years the group has removed more than 1.3 million pounds of debris from the area.
  • The trash tangles monk seals and turtles, and seabirds feed plastic to their chicks; even plankton eat the tiny bits.
  • A live stream from the boats is planned for September 24, aimed at students but open to anyone.

Outlook: The team returns October 8 with a tally of what it hauled out, while debris from the open ocean keeps drifting toward Hawaii's reefs.

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