Marine Debris Conference  Conference Proceedings Debris Photos Conference Hightlights International Marine Debris Conference On Derelict Fishing Gear and the Ocean Environment At the request of Congress, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary convened the 2000 International Marine Debris Conference with the aim of solving problems associated with derelict fishing gear. To learn more about the events that preceded the conference, click here. CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS The sanctuary is proud to make available the complete proceedings of the 2000 International Marine Debris Conference. Visit the conference proceedings web page to discover the ideas of conference delegates including scientists, educators, marine resource managers, industry representatives and agency officials. Explore the issue papers presented at the conference to stimulate discussion. Find out the concerns of six separate working groups and their thirty strategic recommendations aimed at reducing the harm associated with derelict fishing gear. By presenting detailed information on the conference via the web, the sanctuary underlines the need for concerted understanding in solving a global environmental problem. CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS Participants in the 2000 International Marine Debris Conference ranged from gear manufacturers to environmentalists, from students to elected public officials. In one intensive week, they came together to examine the problem of derelict fishing gear debris and investigate issues such as debris impacts and mitigation technology. Solutions they discussed included the need to identify the sources of debris, increase public awareness campaigns and fine tune government policy. Learn about the broad scope of an important gathering of marine debris experts by visiting our conference highlights web page. MARINE DEBRIS PHOTOS Years ago, few would have believed that a simple plastic fishing line could become a plastic predator capable of destroying wildlife in the ocean. For visual documentation of such incidents, please visit our marine debris photo web page. Along with the damage of derelict fishing gear, you will also see a depiction of the many efforts to remove and clean up ocean trash. [top] Revised by the HIHWNMS web team on October 09, 2002. URL: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/special_offerings/sp_off_imdc/imdc_spoff.html.