NA24NOSX999C0008-T1-01 montague island large derelict fishing gear and creosote treated lumber removal gulf of alaska keepers professional crew will work with community-based partners and volunteers…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $4,354,493 Cooperative Agreement under the Marine Debris Program (CFDA 11.999) to Gulf of Alaska Keeper, a non-profit organization, to conduct a three-season marine debris removal effort on the Montague Island shoreline in the Gulf of Alaska. The project will prioritize the removal of two types of large marine debris: (1) derelict fishing gear such as line bundles, nets, totes, and large buoys, and (2) chemically treated wood, such as creosote-treated construction materials, pilings, and dimensional lumber. The project aims to remove nearly 2,000 tons of marine debris from 74 tidal miles of shoreline and remediate over 4,000 acres of intertidal and upland habitat critical for native subsistence activities. Concurrently, the project will collect data on marine debris deposition to inform future prevention efforts. The award period is from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2026.

NA24NOSX999C0008-T1-01 montague island large derelict fishing gear and creosote treated lumber removal gulf of alaska keepers professional crew will work with community-based partners and volunteers to conduct a three-season, high-impact marine debris (MD) removal effort on montague islands gulf of alaska shoreline. The project will prioritize the removal of two types of large MD: (1) large derelict fishing gear such as line bundles, huge nets, totes, large buoys; and (2) chemically treated wood (CTW), such as creosote-treated construction material, pilings, dock timbers, poles, and chemically treated dimensional lumber. These two types of MD often CO-occur in extensive, tangled, driftwood log jams located well above the high tide line. The gulf of alaska keeper project will remove MD from 74-tidal miles (119 kilometers) of shoreline with some of the worst MD accumulation in the nation. Nearly 2,000 tons of large MD will be removed from montague islands gulf of alaska shoreline. More than 4,000 acres of inter-tidal and upland habitat, critical for native subsistence hunting and gathering activities, will be remediated. All debris will be transported to anchorage for disposal and reuse by the most sustainable methods available. Concurrently with the targeted large marine debris removal on montague island, gulf of alaska keeper will also collect deposition data on marine debris within the project area on montague to better inform the sources of marine debris in this area and to support future prevention efforts.