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| Marine Debris Beach Survey Protocol of "Priority-Number-One.Org" |
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In small islands, many beaches are small and do not have the area as 300m x 50m of international monitoring specification.
To make a data base of statistics for small islands, "Priority-Number-One.Org" suggests having an area of 100m x 10m as the standard monitoring specification.
| 1. |
After deciding the location for assessment, draw an area of 100m x 10m and take a couple of pictures that shows the conditions of the entire area. |
| 2. |
In the targeted area, put an one squair meter measurement frame over the spot that has marine debris (as shown in a picture right side) and take some pictures to know the density of marine debris. |
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| 3. |
Collect all the marine debris in an one squair meter. Classify each debris and record the quantity and weight on a data sheet. |
| 4. |
Scoop up the sand within the measurement frame from the surface to 5cm deep. Use shifters to separate plastic pieces in sizes over 1cm, 7mm, 5mm, 3mm and 1mm. |
| For plastic pieces under 5mm, it is more effective to use saltwater in a bucket. Put sand in the bucket with saltwater and stir and scoop up the floating plastic particles. Record each process with a camera. |
| 5. |
Put plastic particles by size into containers and record the quantity and weight on a data sheet. |
| 6. |
Collect all marine debris in the entire targeted area. Set width of collection area to 5 meters. Within the
100m x 10m area of the beach, collect marine debris washed ashore according to the "Priority No.1" list. Record each process with a camera. |
| 7. |
When collection in the targeted area is completed, classify all the debris according to the list. |
| 8. |
Count and weigh all marine debris and record data. |
| 9. |
Record the facilities where the collected debris are taken to and the method of disposal on a data sheet.
More specific data is needed for the fishnets and ropes. See details here. |
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| Tooles Requred for Marine Debris Research on the Beach |
| 1. |
Measurement frame (Create a square frame with 1m x 1m inner diameter. When the frame is made, paint the frame using two different colors, using 10cm intervals. A measurement frame indicates how much debris is in the area and is used to check for plastic particles in the frame. Samples are here.) |
| 2. |
One meter ruler (When pictures of big debris are taken, a 1m ruler is placed next to the debris to indicate its size.) |
| 3. |
30cm ruler (When pictures of medium sized debris are taken, a 30cm ruler is placed next to the debris to indicate its size.) |
| 4. |
15cm ruler (This sheet of paper provided by NOAA is used when taking pictures. The management office will send the ruler to you by e-mail during the time of debris collection. A sample is here.) |
| 5. |
Walky-talky is useful to communicate to each other when the coastline is long. |
| 6. |
Bucket (A bucket filled with seawater is used to separate small plastic particles smaller then 5mm in sand. ) |
| 7. |
Gardening shovel |
| 8. |
Marine Debris Data Sheet and clipboard (Data sheet will be sent by the management office..) |
| 9 |
GPS (A global positioning satellite system that specifies the exact location of the cleanup area..) |
| 10. |
Digital camera (It is used to record visual data, such as conditions on the seashore, debris collection information, density information using a measurement frame, and record characteristic of debris.) |
| 11. |
Tong (It is used to pick medical supplies and insanitary objects.) |
| 12. |
Plastic container (Stores injectors and medical related items that could infect people.) |
| 13. |
Sieve (Prepare five different sized nets of 1mm, 3mm, 5mm, 7mm and 10mm. The size of the outer frame should be around 30cm on each side. |
| 14. |
Sieve |
| 15. |
Rubber gloves |
| 16. |
Garbage bags used for debris collection |
| 17. |
Measuring wheel (Since the coastline of small islands are short, they can be measured by a 100m measure. |
| 18. |
Analog Weight Scale |
| 19. |
Digital Weight Scale |
| 20 |
Pruning Scissors for cutting ropes and nets. |
| 21. |
5 plastic containers to store plastic particles that are 1mm to 1cm in size. |
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| Further Information About Detailed Data Filing Method of Fishnet and a Rope |
 The method for recording fishnets
| 1. |
The entire size |
| 2. |
The type of fishnet |
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a. |
Trawl net |
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b. |
Gill net, Stake net |
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c. |
Trammel net |
| 3. |
Material |
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a. |
Hi-Zex HDPE Prime Polymer (polyester) = > Trawl net |
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b. |
Nylon (polyamide) = > Gill net, Stake net |
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c. |
Dacron (polyester) = > Dacron net |
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d. |
Lead woven (lead + polumide) = > Gill net, Stake net, etc. |
| 4. |
The types and sizes of the nets |
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a. |
Diagonal (argyle) net |
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b. |
Russell net |
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c. |
Non burl net |
| 5. |
Collecting sample piece, storing and recording sections of fishnets |
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a. |
Cut off 15cm squares from each net as a sample and attach a reference number. |
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b. |
Record the material, thickness of thread, the width of the mesh and the direction of the twist.
To record the direction of the twist, make a data base to identify the types of nets that are most dangerous to sea turtles. |
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c. |
Record the collection day and collection area with the data. |
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The method for recording ropes
| 1. |
Collecting sample piece, storing and recording sections of ropes |
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a. |
Length |
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b. |
Thickness |
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c. |
Number of twists |
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d. |
Materials |
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Vinylon |
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Polyester |
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Nylon |
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Polypropylene |
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Lead laid (interwoven) rope |
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