Save Our Playground
Marine Debris
ABOUT
Marine debris in hawaii not only affects the beauty of our beaches, but it also affects the health of marine life and may even affect the health of humans as well. Locals and tourists treat ‘Oahu’s beaches as if they were a playground. We bring our children to beaches so that they can play and swim. We also surf and catch food here. But, “Materials placed into the ocean for a long period of time will often acquire some sort of biofouling, or growth of marine organisms. For items that wash into the ocean from land and then are colonized by common open ocean (pelagic) species such as gooseneck barnacles, these are not a concern should they drift into Hawaiian waters. However, marine debris arriving in Hawai`i that had already acquired local biofouling at its point of origin before being cast adrift in the ocean is of great concern” (hawaii.gov)
BEACH CLEAN UPS
Haleiwa Beach Park
Haleiwa Beach Park is located in the Lokoea watershed. The Hwaiian meaning of Lokoea is "Rising Pond". The area of the watershed is 2.3 square mi (6 square km), with maximum elevation of 807ft (246 m). There are no native species currently in this watershed; all of the marine life is non-native along with the ocasional green sea turtle. At this beach, tourists can learn to stand up paddle and surf. This is also the location of Manu O Ke Kai, the canoe club and many others.
Barber's Point
Barber's Point or White Plains is located in the Kalo'i gultch watershed. The Hawaiian meaning of the name is "the taro patch". The area of the watershed is 10.9 square mi (28.3 square km), with a maximum elivation of 2572 ft (784 m). This beach is a popular surfing spot and does have monk seal spottings. Locals and tourist visit to surf, swim and fish.
Mokuleia
Mokuleia is located in the Makaleha watershed. The hawaiian meaning of the name is "eyes looking about as in wonder of admiration". The are of the watershed is 6.8 square mi (17.6 km). with a maximum elevation of 3976 ft (1212m). This beach is a popular surf, wind surf and fishing spot. Tourists and locals can also camp in this location. There is native fish living in the waters, as well as green sea turtles and monk seals.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
These beaches have a great impact form humans, which means tons of trash can be left behind from those who do not dispose of their trash in designated trash bins. In turn, the trash left behind can effect marine life living at or near the beach and other bodies of water surrounding. Haleiwa beach park for example, is connected to a river. If trash is left behind on the shore, it may get washed up and travel to the river effecting others along the way.
Scientists already found native fish in these areas and stated that they are in fact in endangered. "Debris on shorelines can harm coral reefs, fish and marine mammals. Turtles, for example, can get entangled in floating fishing nets. Fish, turtles and seabirds can ingest pieces of the trash, which can lead to internal injuries, starvation and death. Marine debris can also pose a navigational hazard for vessels. It can be difficult to spot and some pieces may be large enough to damage the propeller of a ship" (Marine Debris in the Hawaiian Islands).
By harming coral reefs and marine life, we can also harm the ecosystem. Without these major parts, the ocean ecosystem may die and we will no longer be able to play in the ocean because it will be to dirty.