[Return to Conference Main Page]   Recommendations  Conference Proceedings Debris Photos Conference Hightlights Recommendations from the 4th International Marine Debris Conference on Derelict Fishing Gear and the Marine Environment August 6 - 11, 2000 Honolulu, Hawaii Aloha, It is our pleasure to present the recommendations from the 4th International Marine Debris Conference on Derelict Fishing Gear and the Marine Environment. The conference enlisted the help of some of the world's best and brightest experts on this issue. Many individuals helped to develop the recommendations presented here in an effort to address the various sources, impacts, and remedies for derelict fishing gear. Conference participants covered a wide spectrum of interests, including scientists, industry professionals, government agency representatives, and members of the public. All participants worked side by side in six different groups and outlined thirty-one priority recommendations regarding discarded fishing gear in the Pacific. Recommendations range from developing an international plan of action, to regulating abandonment and loss of fishing gear, to establishing practical ways of identifying gear sources, to expanding waste recycling opportunities and facilities. Providing a permanent source of funding to execute the removal and monitoring of derelict gear, and supporting education and outreach needs were also identified as high priorities. Another meaningful result of this conference was the development of the "Participants' Declaration of Resolve," a document that underscores the importance of these conference recommendations and the participants' intent to diligently pursue them. It is our hope that the diverse perspectives of the conference participants that embody these recommendations will spur national and international efforts to investigate, monitor and mitigate impacts of marine debris in our ocean environments. Final Recommendations Top Priorities (pdf, 64k) A. Legal and Preventions (pdf, 128k) B. Reducing Impacts of Gear (pdf, 192k) C. Source Identification (pdf, 128k) D. Industry (pdf, 128k)   [top] Revised by the HIHWNMS web team on October 09, 2002. URL: http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/special_offerings/sp_off_imdc/recommendations.html.