The Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources is teaming up with the NOAA Marine Debris Program to assess and remove five derelict vessels in nearshore waters of Fajardo Bay, and to use information from additional removal events to develop prevention strategies for the area.

Type of Project: Community-based Marine Debris Removal Grant

Region: Florida & the Caribbean

Project Dates: August 2016 - December 2017

Who is involved?
With the support of a NOAA Marine Debris Program Community-based Marine Debris Removal grant, and in partnership with Marine Cargo PR LLC and the municipality of Fajardo, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) is helping to protect and restore coral reef and seagrass habitats by removing five derelict vessels in the nearshore waters near Las Croabas and Playa Sardinera, in Fajardo Bay. DNER and partners at the United States Coast Guard, the municipality of Luquillo, and NOAA are also conducting education and outreach activities by hosting stakeholder coordination meetings to help address ADV problems, and by hosting a cost-free nautical chart workshop to teach attendees how to interpret and use a nautical chart.

What is the project and why is it important?
Abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) are a problem in Fajardo Bay, Puerto Rico, mostly due to owners that have abandoned their vessels for various reasons. They create both serious navigational hazards and ecological threats. This large form of marine debris can scar and damage surrounding habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, as well as create fields of debris as the hulls, riggings, insulation, and other materials deteriorate. ADVs can also contain hazardous materials such as oil, paints, and lubricants, which can leak into and pollute the surrounding environment.

This project aims to remove five derelict vessels from Las Croabas, Icacos, and Palominos, in Fajardo Bay. Through this project, approximately 15 tons of debris are being removed from the marine environment. This removal is also enabling the passive and active restoration of any affected coral reef and seagrass habitats, which are being monitored by DNER after removal of the vessels. Additionally, DNER is conducting marine debris removal events at two sites located within marine reserves. The data collected from the removal events is being used to identify the main sources of marine debris in the area, which help to develop prevention strategies.

To prevent future abandonment of vessels and marine litter in the community, DNER is also conducting education and outreach activities with local groups. DNER staff are using community support to develop an outreach campaign to educate tourists and visitors of the Northeast Reserves about the impacts of derelict vessels. DNER is also hosting a cost-free workshop, in conjunction with NOAA and U.S. Coast Guard staff, where attendees learn how to interpret and use nautical charts. This knowledge helps boaters avoid protected natural resources present in Fajardo, and can prevent vessel groundings and future abandonment of derelict vessels.