HONOLULU — The federal government says it has a new plan to reduce the marine debris that kills coral, marine mammals and fish in the Hawaiian Islands.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration worked together with state, county and private sector partners to develop a plan to cut back on the trash that winds up in the ocean.
The garbage — like fishing nets — can suffocate reefs and strangle ocean-dwelling animals like the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.
The new plan announced Tuesday aims to reduce the number of abandoned vessels and fishing gear.
It also hopes to cut back on the debris that’s found in waterways on land so this trash doesn’t flow into the ocean.
NOAA and its partners are planning debris removal campaigns and prevention programs.


Hawaii Marine Debris Action Plan: http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/projects/himdap.html