By ODA Hawai’i Island Chapter Leader Sarah Milisen
After being gone for a month, on a special project to pull derelict fishing nets out of Papahanaumokuakea, I'm back in Kona, Hawai'i for more ODA cleanups!
Our Kona vessel, Makau, was eager to get on the water and so were our volunteers! Our October 16th outing was fruitful, so our October 17th team also opted for a little of the same: run south for 2 cleanup dives. We had received a report of a FAD (Fishing Aggregate Device) offshore of Milolii in 400 feet of depth, potentially snagged on deep reef, so our first mission was to take this boat as far south as it's ever been... to Okoe Bay.
Once down there, unfortunately no FAD buoy was sighted, so we turned back up north (just a little) and dove our previously cleaned site, The Hive. We haven't been back to clean this site for over 2 years unfortunately, due to its remoteness and local operator partnerships. Now that we have our own vessel – here we come!!!
Divers promptly descended at the dive site, and unfortunately, after a brief 30-minute dive, they had FILLED their huge mesh bag with all it could handle, stuffing pockets and any other useable space on their ascent up.They used lift bags to float some of the larger debris to the surface.
This might have been the most efficient team with the biggest line haul, to date! Juan Chacin, Garth and Kerry Edwards, Meghan Murray, and Brian Sward sure proved to be Ocean Defender Rockstars there!
On our way north along the current line, a conglomerate of buoys and rope were spotted by Brian at the fly bridge, so we paused to pick them up. An adorable little Noio (Black Noddy) perched on top until we approached too close and she took flight.
Plastics and entanglements removed (hurray!) we motored to our second dive site, Mano Point (also attempted on 10/16), for a second try at this site. In July, our team aboard Makau marked GPS sites of local fishing spots during a large shore fishing tournament – with hopes to survey and clean these sites at a later date. Mano Point was one of those sites. So, although we were unsuccessful the day before, I wanted to try again to go inshore and shallow on this dive. Meghan, Juan, Brian, Garth and Kerry followed the rocky edge as close as could be along the surgey (and murky) coast. Meghan found quite a bit of lead, but almost no line! We can call this spot surveyed and complete. Yay!
ODA Crew with their "Catch of the Day"!
The Hive and offshore proved a very, very successful day! I'd estimate 7000 feet of line, 20 pounds of lead from fishing weights, over a dozen fishing hooks, and several offshore buoys were all recovered in just a day!
Our FAD response was completed (though no FAD was found), and a survey of Mano Point site was also complete! What a productive day with an epic team! Juan's homemade almond cake was the fuel to guide us all!
With a long day of diving and offshore, Brian opted out of boat-washing duties (with permission, of course!) to get to his appointment on time, so, unfortunately, we got a group photo without him.
Please, take a look and have a laugh at our incredibly poor Photoshop skills as we attempted to add him in! (hahahaha!)
Now with Brian!
We are so encouraged about the effective utilization of our “new” boat Makau. Please help us keep the boat sea-ready (maintained and fueled) so we can keep up these frequent and fruitful outings! Thank you!
Keep Our Boat Sea-Worthy to Remove Debris!
