MINA continues removing typhoon-created marine debris

The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance gathers tin roofs from the San Antonio village area. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Mariana Islands Nature Alliance is advancing its work in the removal of in-water and coastal marine debris and coastal areas in the targeted areas of the Tinian Harbor, shallow waters and coastline of northern Tinian, as well as the coastal areas and shallow waters of southern Saipan—areas where Super Typhoon Yutu caused widespread devastation.

The U.S. Congress, under the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-20), allows grants to be awarded through a partnership between the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund. Grants are approved based on the extent of the presence of marine debris and how it can harm coastal communities and resources, and to prevent further damage to sensitive marine habitats and species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

“Marine debris is an everyday problem, but natural disasters have the potential to make it worse. The NOAA Marine Debris Program is excited to support the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance in the important work of removing typhoon-created marine debris from Tinian and Saipan. We look forward to seeing the hazards and impacts of this debris reduced, and the restoration of shorelines and coastal waters for the ecological, economical, and recreational benefit of the community,” said Mark Manuel, NOAA Marine Debris Program, Pacific Islands regional coordinator.

So far, 93.44 acres of in-water assessment of marine habitat in the Tinian Harbor has been completed as of September, and work is ongoing to complete the assessments of the priority areas. Removal of hazardous materials is expected to begin within two-to-three weeks of the assessment of shoreline priority areas.

Work on Saipan began in late June led by marine biologist Dave Benavente as project manager. With the help of MINA’s Tasi Watch Rangers and volunteers, and after training in best practices and assessments, they successfully restored 42.28 acres of marine and 3.85 terrestrial near-shore habitats, which is a little over 2% of the total target area. This activity yielded 10,361 lbs of debris from near-shore and shallow marine ecosystems of southern Saipan.

Staff of the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance and Tasi Watch community rangers gather in front of typhoon-created marine debris in southern Saipan. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Debris removal work in the Tinian Harbor is progressing, although somewhat hampered by the onslaught of tropical storms passing through the Marianas since July. Fine scale underwater surveys are currently underway, and best practices removal assessments will commence immediately upon determination that there are no listed endangered species of coral present on the targeted debris. In addition to the harbor area, coastal areas of northern Tinian have also been assessed to determine the extent of the presence of debris; shoreline removal of debris on Tinian is ongoing.

MINA would like to acknowledge the NFWF and NOAA’s support in this endeavor, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Tinian and other partners in the advancement of the goals of the debris removal grant.

MINA is a 501 (c) (3) environmental conservation organization and has been serving the Marianas since 2005. To learn more about MINA’s efforts of removing typhoon-created marine debris from Tinian and Saipan, contact program director Becky Furey at beckfurey.mina@gmail.com. (PR)