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PROTECTING OUR MARINE ENVIRONMENT

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Pollution impacts the water, marine life living in it and is a potential threat to human health. While one boat on the water may not seem significant, multiply the waste generated by thousands of boats and the effects are staggaring. Most of these pollutants stem from Marine Debris, Sewage, Vessel Maintenance and Cleaning.

Garbage, especially in the form of plastics, ruin the natural beauty of the marine environment and can kill aquatic life through entanglement or ingestion. Other types of grabage, including food waste and toxic products, contribute to the depletion of dissolved oxygen, which is necessary for marine plants and animals to thrive.

What you can do:

• Keep trash out of the water.
• Bring everything ashore.
• Separate cans, glass, plastic and paper and take
  them to a community recycling center near you.

The Department of Health, Clean water Branch (CWB) monitors Hawaii's ocean waters on a continual basis for two varieties of indicator bacteria (Enterococcus and Cloostridium perfringens) . These types of bacteria are present in animal wastes, soil and human sewage discharge. Consequently, beach closure days have occured throughout the State due to sewage spills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the microorganisms, nutrients and chemicals that are released into the marine environment when raw or partially treated sewage are discharged may put swimmers at risk for such diseases as Hepatitis A and E. coli infection.

What you can do:

• Use on-shore pump-out stations. DOBOR operates suitable facilities: on Oahu at Ala Wai, Keehi, Waianae and Heeia Kea; on Maui at Lahaina and; on Kauai at Nawiliwili.
• Holding tanks require additives. Read carefully and choose additives that do not contain formaldehyde formalin, phenol derivatives, ammonia compounds, alcohol bases or chlorine bleach.

Proper vessel maintenance is necessary for a safe, smooth-running vessel. However, there are by-products of regular maintenance including motor oil, lead acid batteries and toxic paint to name a few. These materials contain chemicals which can poison fish, destroy coral reefs, threaten marine life and find their way into the food chain, causing potential problems for humans. be careful to dispose of these materials carefully.

What you can do:

• Check with the Harbormasters. Most harbors offer a collection facility. If yours does not, ask for one.
• OIL ~ when changing your oil, wipe up spills immediately and catch old oil in a container for recycling.
• LEAD ACID BATTERIES ~ anyone who sells batteries in Hawaii is required to take your old battery when you buy a new one. The lead cells in your old battery can be recycled to make new batteries.
• PAINT ~ Use the right paint for the job. Check with your marine painting professional and choose the most environmentally friendly one.

Many cleaning products and detergents contain phosphates and hevy metals that can accumulate in fish and filter-feeding marine animals such as oysters and clams which could one day wind up on your dinner table. Today, many products are available that are safer for the environment. Look for the "greener" labels at local marine stores. If you can't find environmentally friendly products, try these alternatives. They work and save you money, too.

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