We all can do something to protect ocean resources

As residents of an island state, an understanding of current ocean issues is critical.

The 110-year-old Waikiki Aquarium has a long history of educating residents and visitors and empowering them to make informed decisions about protecting Hawaii’s marine life.

We will henceforth take a "big picture" perspective and expand our activities to address issues facing the global ocean through an upcoming Ocean Science Laboratory and a Distinguished Lecture Series, which kicks off Thursday at Mamiya Theatre with a presentation on ocean level rise by Dr. Chip Fletcher.

So, what are some of the significant marine issues facing Hawaii, and what can individuals do to address them?

Eighty percent of ocean pollution is land-sourced, and can damage the marine ecosystem, especially Hawaii’s coral reefs.

Corrective measures are simple and effective. Our land and the ocean are interconnected, so chemicals put on the land through storm drains, sewer lines or natural stream and aquifers ultimately end up in the ocean. Avoid disposing of materials down storm drains; use fewer pesticides on your lawn or garden; avoid fertilizing your lawn just before it rains.

Debris harms marine life all over the world. In the Pacific, currents concentrate debris around Hawaii, especially the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Marine life can become fatally entangled in, smothered by, or ingest this material.

Plastic debris also breaks down into smaller particles and ends up in the marine food web, and potentially, us.

Some debris is discarded in fishing nets or items lost overboard, but 64 percent comes from shoreline and recreational activities. Recycling and disposing of trash can marginally reduce marine debris.

Oahu’s law to eliminate plastic shopping bags is another step in the right direction.

Joining beach cleanups with family or friends is empowering, and really does make a difference. Several progressive organizations — i.e., Hard Rock and Aqua Hotels — even sponsor their staff to participate in such activities, promoting team-building and enhancing environmental awareness.

Overfishing has caused 58 percent of the world’s fish stocks to collapse or be overexploited. Ninety-six percent of the Pacific bluefin tuna population has been eliminated. Local, national and international regulations based upon solid scientific data and framed in a long-term, sustainable perspective, need to be implemented.

These are governmental-level decisions, but individuals can play their part by buying only fish that have been sourced responsibly, by consulting sources like the Monte-rey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program (http://www.seafoodwatch .org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx) to make informed decisions.

Ask your grocery and restaurants to offer sustainable seafood.

Hawaii’s coastal waters are home to several "alien species" of fishes, algae and invertebrates introduced here accidentally or deliberately. Complete removal is unrealistic, but controlling the numbers is attainable. Creative programs to remove the alien fishes taape and roi are underway.

Twelve years ago, the Waikiki Aquarium and the University of Hawaii Botany Department began a program to remove algae (limu) from the reef behind the Aquarium. This program measures the amount of algae removed, its regrowth rate, and identifies the algae species removed. The project recently introduced sea urchins that graze the algae. The next phase will be to try to breed and release sailfin tang onto the reef, a native fish that prefers to eat the alien species. Ultimately, we hope to repopulate this reef using live local corals we grow at the Aquarium. We encourage residents and visitors to participate in our invasive algae program. Visit http://www.waikikiaquarium.org/ conservation/projects/invasive-algae-cleanups/ for more information.

Conservation of Hawaii’s marine environment will require a concerted effort involving scientists, governmental bodies, nongovernment organizations, the private sector and the community.

Help us protect and restore Hawaii’s marine environment. Get educated, get involved and get wet!