Lost and discarded fishing gear is hazardous and can be very difficult to find. Since fishing has been done for decades, there are derelict fishing gear and pots on the seafloor that don't have buoy markers at the surface, unfortunately.

Our first day of the pilot program we removed:
 • 9 spot prawn traps
 • 800 feet of blue steel line
 • 3 anchors

By removing the pots and lines off the seafloor and water column, it reduces the chance of marine life to become entangled. The majority of the gear does not decompose in seawater; wreaking havoc in the marine environment. 

Entanglement can result in drowning or a slow and painful death.

Joanne had traveled to Maui for 20 years with her husband Bill and would come back talking about these majestic and beautiful humpback whales. Her mom would describe them as “awesome”. Peggy accompanied her mom and stepdad to Maui in 1996 after the death of her father and was so moved by the humpback whales it started her quest to pursue her dream to become involved in whale research in Maui, HI, and Monterey, CA. Peggy volunteered for the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation (HWRF) and the Whale and Dolphin Research Trips by Oceanic Society in Monterey. Peggy’s director, Dr. Dan Salden of HWRF in Maui, was instrumental in her starting Marine Life Studies in 2006.