4Ocean volunteers remove derelict fishing gear at Kahana Bay on Oahu in February 2022. PHOTO BY THE STATE DLNR.

HONOLULU — Derelict and discarded fishing nets and other marine debris are hazardous to marine life and have entangled — and in some cases killed — many marine endangered species in Hawaii, such as whales, monk seals and sea turtles.

Nonprofit organizations 4Ocean and Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii remind residents and visitors to report washed up marine debris along Hawaii shorelines.

This includes boats, large accumulations of trash, and fishing gear or nets.

Mimi Olry of the state Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) said, “Ghost nets, abandoned or lost nets, pose a huge danger to marine animals around the world. These nets, as they float in the ocean, attract small juvenile species, which in turn attract larger feeding fish and marine mammals.

“Nets were created to entrap and are often nearly invisible in dim light. Once trapped, animals like fish, dolphins, seals, whales, sharks and birds starve to death or drown struggling to get free,” she continued.

“As these nets move through the ocean, other ropes and nets are snagged, and if caught on near-shore reefs, will tear and destroy corals until they finally wash up on shore. There they often continue to entangle innocent animals that may lay on it or explore it.”

The 833-4-da-nets hotline is a collaboration between DAR and several other organizations on Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island.

Around 6,000 pounds of derelict fishing gear was removed in 2021 before it washed back out to sea during high tide.