Reef Cleaning Initiative - Maui, Hi
2021 - Ongoing
Divers are often the first to come across discarded fishing line knotted through coral, turtles with hooks in their necks and/or trailing fishing line behind them, abandoned swimming gear, and accidental debris entangled in the reef. Other swimmers, including children, and wildlife can quickly become entanlged and trapped underwater in sometimes barely visible line.
Our freedivers may be the only humans with removal tools, such as knives for cutting fishing line, to come across an entangled head of coral for many days or weeks. Fishing line and other debris require careful removal performed by experienced divers in order to protect the reef. Our divers donate their time, ability, and expertise to remove trash, fishing line, ocean recreation equipment, and a large amount of plastic from Maui's reefs.
Divers specifically remove debris without touch any of the reef structure or animals living on it. They often come across entangled and/or hooked sea turtles and other wildlife, and our volunteers inform the proper channels to assist the animals. Over five years, five skilled volunteers have removed countless items and yards of line from Maui's reefs through this unique initiative. We are excited to share our impact, which wouldn't be possible without our amazing divers volunteering their service! Below is a catalog of recent dives, including dates, sites, and photos of debris collected.
