WE NEED YOUR HELP TO PROTECT HAWAII’S MARINE ECOSYSTEMS!
If you encounter marine debris that might be from Japan, please let us know if you find alien plants or animals that have hitched a ride over.
Marine debris can carry live organisms originating from distant shores that may be harmful to Hawaii’s native marine species and ecosystems. Ongoing research on organisms found on marine debris originating from the 3/11/11 Japan tsunami is helping to assess the risks of invasive species in Hawaii. To this day, we are still finding debris from Japan washing up on our islands’ shores.
Look for rubbery brown stalks to identify gooseneck barnacles! These are non-invasive and common on marine debris.
However, some native organisms that you may find on marine debris are not a threat to Hawaii, such as pelagic gooseneck barnacles.
Any other alien (non-native) organisms such as mussels, pink barnacles, and oysters should be reported immediately to DLNR. Please take a few photographs of the organism(s) on the marine debris, and of the item itself. Email photos with the location, date, and time to [email protected].
MAHALO NUI LOA!
Blue mussel, non-native to Hawaii.
Pink barnacles, non-native to Hawaii.
Oysters, non-native to Hawaii.