Large Floating Abandoned, Lost or Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) is Frequent Marine Pollution in the Hawaiian Islands and Palmyra Atoll

This is a preprint. The final version is published in Marine Pollution Bulletin (Vol 196-115585).

Abandoned, lost, discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a major source of marine debris with significant ecological and economic consequences. We documented frequency, types, sizes, and impacts of ALDFG recovered from Hawaiʻi and Palmyra Atoll in the North Pacific Ocean from 2009-2021. A total of 253 events weighing 15 metric tons were recovered, including 120 drifting fish aggregating device (dFAD) components, 61 conglomerates, fewer distinct nets, lines, buoys, and unique gear. The Hawaiian Islands were dominated by conglomerates and Palmyra Atoll by dFADs. DFADs were connected to the Eastern Pacific tropical tuna purse seine fishery. Windward Oʻahu experienced <7 events or 1800 kg of ALDFG per month. Across Hawaiʻi, ALDFG was present on 55 % of survey days, including hotspots with 100% occurrence. Coral reef damage, entangled wildlife, navigational and removal costs were reported. The data highlight the large magnitude of ALDFG and associated impacts in the Central North Pacific Ocean.