Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project

The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) is a Hawaiʻi based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting one of the most remote and ecologically significant marine ecosystems on Earth. The organization focuses on cleaning up marine debris within the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary (the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands). This UNESCO World Heritage Site supports diverse coral reef systems and is home to endangered Hawaiian monk seals, threatened sea turtles, seabirds, and many other native species that are vulnerable to entanglement and ingestion of ocean debris.

Since its founding in 2019, the organization has led large scale ship-based marine debris removal expeditions to this remote region of Hawaiʻi, with a particular emphasis on the removal of lost and abandoned fishing gear (ghost nets). Teams of experienced divers and field specialists conduct hands-on cleanup operations, removing debris that poses immediate threats to living corals, marine life and shoreline habitats. Since 2020, PMDP has removed 1.2 million pounds of marine debris from these sensitive habitats, providing the best chance of survival for sensitive wildlife.

In addition to field operations, the organization works to raise public awareness about the global marine debris problem and its impacts on Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. It engages communities through education and outreach, supports stewardship grounded in cultural values, and collaborates with researchers to improve understanding of debris sources and impacts. The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project partners closely with federal and state agencies and philanthropic supporters to sustain and expand its efforts to protect this irreplaceable marine environment for future generations.