Report Marine Debris
Marine Debris is becoming more and more prevalent in our Oceans, and PWF is looking for help. If you spot marine debris in Maui Nui waters and cannot remove it yourself, please report Marine Debris by calling (833)4da-NETS (833-432-6387).
For any large quantities of marine debris, debris with living organisms on it or debris too large to remove by hand, our Conservation team at Pacific Whale Foundation will respond. You can also use the Marine Debris Report Form.
Volunteer with Us
Pacific Whale Foundation is asking residents to help with our cleanup efforts. If you would like to be contacted to help our Conservation team remove debris from beaches, click the link below!
Latest Cleanups
Did you know that Pacific Whale Foundation is the rapid response organization on Maui? If you come across any large, abandoned nets or derelict fishing gear around Maui Nui waters or shorelines, please call the hotline at 833-4-Da-Nets. Once contacted our Conservation team will mobilize to remove the debris!
Destructive ghost nets threaten not only cetaceans and pinnipeds, but can also smother coral reefs and fish. On Maui, Pacific Whale Foundation is the dedicated Marine Debris Rapid Response organization. Last week we responded to a large ghost net on the shores of Waihe’e beach. The team with the help of our partner, @hilandtrust removed 1,281 pounds of net that otherwise could have threatened marine life!
what is GOhst Net?
A ghost net is a fishing net that has been abandoned, lost, or discarded in the ocean. It’s considered one of the deadliest forms of marine plastic pollution. Check out the different types and locations of ghost nets our team responded to over the past year.
why iS it called GOhst a Net?
Even after being lost or discarded, these nets continue to trap and kill marine life, a phenomenon known as ghost fishing. The nets “fish” on their own, long after humans have lost, abandoned or discarded the gear. Unfortunately, while our team was responding to a ghost net on shore, they noticed an ʻUʻu trapped in the net, a stark reminder of how these mess of nets got their names.
Check out our Latest Cleanups!
2025
July – September
Our team responded to five marine debris reports this quarter, removing a total of 677 pounds of debris, mostly ghost nets. These nets and materials were collected from a variety of challenging terrains, including the ocean floor where they were buried in sand, tangled on reefs, wedged in tide pools, and washed up along rocky shorelines.
Although this quarter brought fewer reports than usual, we know marine debris arrives in waves. Our team remains ready to respond whenever and wherever it’s needed.
In Partnership With:
County of Maui
Environmental Protection And Sustainability
Hawaiʻi Pacific University: Center of Marine Debris Research
DOBOR
Maui Pacific Divers
Art by Michi
