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The Marine Debris Rapid Response Hotline is meant for the rapid removal of abandoned fishing nets and fishing lines that can entangle and harm Hawaiʻi’s endangered wildlife and coral reefs. The goal of this hotline is to remove the debris before an animal can be entangled and before the net washes back out to sea, which can impact human and wildlife safety alike. The hotline can be reached at 833-4-DA-NETS or reports can be made online.

RM90, or Mele, snoozes in the sand on the beach. Entanglement in fishing gear likely caused the drowning death of the 1-year-old Hawaiian monk seal RM90, also known as Mele, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researchers determined. "It's a hard thing to talk about because she was a special seal and a seal that a lot of us really invested a lot of time and energy into," said Dr. Michelle Barbieri, head of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program at NOAA. Mele was found dead in waters off the windward side of Oʻahu on May 24. There were no indications of foul play.

Marine debris is a major problem in West Maui and throughout the state. According to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR), dere

The State and four non-profit organizations have teamed up to create a new statewide number to report marine debris.

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR SUZANNE D. CASE  CHAIRPERSON For Immediate News Release: June 3, 2021 NEW HOTLINE ESTABLISHED TO REPORT DERELICT FISHING GEAR  (HONOLULU)