Ocean Defenders Alliance Clean Up Dive

Island Divers Hawaii, under the leadership of Dr. Matthew Zimmerman, has been supporting environmental efforts in Maunalua and Mamala Bay since its inception in 2001.  In 2017 however, we were introduced to Kurt Lieber of Ocean Defenders Alliance and our longest enviromental partnership began.

Dr. Zimmerman and his team have long dived to remove debris from the oceans, and were excited to find a nonprofit partner doing the same!  With Ocean Defenders alliance support, Island Diver has been able to increase the number of boat supported clean up efforts in Maunalua Bay to a monthly effort.

Together we are host a series of monthly Clean Up Dives out of Hawaii Kai.  The Portlock, or China Wall, has long been a popular shore fishing spot.  We are regularly able to recover over 100 lbs of fishing lead and 500 yards of lost line entangled in the reef.  This is important work.  The fishing line and lead being left behind by a type of fishing that includes setting a large lead weight with metal hooks into the reef is significant.  When the fisherman are done, they attempt to remove that large weight with metal hooks, but more often than not it seems that the debris remains in the ocean.  Besides being the trash being left behind, it is common for green sea turtles to become entangled in the abandoned fishing line leading to loss of limbs and even drowning.  Regardless of how one feels about the practice, it is clearly a good idea to remove the debris from the ocean.  And that is where our team comes in!

This event has been happening monthly since 2017, because of the strong and continued support of Ocean Defenders Alliance.  Island Divers started this effort in 2007, but our partnership with ODA has really stepped up the game.   As far as we are aware it is the most consistent ocean cleanup effort in the state of HI.  This effort is funded by a non-profits (Ocean Defenders Alliance), citizen donations (the divers themselves contribute financially to the effort), and in donations by small business (Island Divers donates private charters) , and it all happens without using taxpayer dollars.  It is a labor of love for the ocean, and all those that donate and participate are to be commended at the highest level.

This One Tank Dive boat dive will be available for just a $10 Donation.
Participants must be at least Rescue Diver Certified. Please bring your dive knife (wire cutters are good if you have them) or line cutting tool.

There are only 12-16 spots available each month so book your spots in advance!

Find the clean up dives on the Club Events Schedule.  It is the one event on this schedule where you don’t have to be a member to partcipate (just a Rescue Diver).