June 18, 2024 — A major trash cleanup by a nonprofit organization has concluded at Kuaihelani, also known as Midway Atoll, located in a marine national monument that is home to hundreds of endangered Hawaiian monk seals and 14 million seabirds representing 22 species.
Some 70,080 pounds of marine debris were hauled away and nearly 11 miles of shoreline cleaned up at Kuaihelani, located within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, according to a news release from Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project.
Some 35,100 pounds of derelict fishing nets, also known as ghost nets, were among the debris. Nearly 33,000 pounds of other marine garbage, such as buoys and floats, were also removed.