Project Report
2012 Projects on Tsunami Generated Marine Debris and its Management;
Japan – US NGO Collaboration Advancement, the Site Investigation Resultsand Follow-Up Activities for Debris Problem Awareness Raising

March,2013

Preface
The sea floating man-made-objects whose potential cause was the Tsunami of Great East
Japan Earthquake, has been adrift to the coastsof the U.S. and become the serious environmental threats. It is important to approach
this problem from a variety of angles; not only through the inter governmental
collaborations, but also through the cross-border projects by the private entities inboth countries. The major debris driftage to the US coasts is prospected to reach around
October 2012. Quick action is now essential.
The followings were implemented for this government-sponsored project. Besides the
projects already started both in governmental and academic fields, the below is toaccelerate the necessary investigations, data collections, and analysis of the wholedebris problems as well as to establish the mutual communication basis among the relatedorganizations.

(1) Project Committee Establishment
The project committee was established to examine the whole procedures of the on-site
investigation, data collection and the information disclosure. The members were thoseenergetically tackling the marine debris and the sea environmental issues from thedifferent fields; the staff members from Non Government Organizations, the researchers,
and those from Non Profit Organizations striving for rebuilding from the earthquake.
The committee meeting was held for three times. The 1s t meeting was to overview the wholeprojects; the procedures both for the investigation and the informative activities. The
2nd featured the data analysis after the investigation, while the 3rd was for the reviewof the whole project, including two Japan forums and some future plans.

(2) Field Investigation and Data Collections
The field investigation and data collections were conducted at the coastal areas of Hawaii
and Ohio. This was aimed to make preparation for the major stranding of the disasterdebris. Also the team looked into their countermeasures and comments from the local
community.
The delegation consisted of the NGO members and the researchers from the above committeein (1); 8 for Hawaii and 6 for Oregon.

(3) Raising AwarenessTwo forums were held in Sendai and Tokyo to officially report the outcomes of theinvestigations and related activities. It was held for the Japanese NGOs, the privateorganizations, and other groups involved in marine environment conservation and the debris
management. The outcomes should be fully taken advantage of by these attendees.

Especially, the following is why it had to be in Sendai, the major disaster stricken areaof the Great East Japan Earthquake; media reported that some objects drifted, such as
Japanese soccer balls or fishery buoys, and were tracked down of their sources and thenreturned to the original owners in Japan. For the Tsunami victims and their families,
these objects are so precious because they are the life memories themselves. Holding theforum in this particular city, Sendai, draws the attention of the citizens and may givethe deep knowledge of the marine debris from the disaster.
In the forums, the original DVDs were shown for the demonstration of the on-site
investigations, aimed to provide background knowledge about the whole marine litter issues,
especially those in Okinawa and Japan Sea coastal lines. The efforts to control ocean
litter were also introduced.
Also, to these Japan forums, members of the US NGO and the related people were invited.
They already had participated in the Japan-US NGO forum of disaster debris early in thelast August. (Here, the gratitude should be given to Sassagawa Peace Foundation for theinvitation support.) These foreign participants visited the Tsunami-hit coastlines,
deepening their understanding about the disaster marine debris and its future management.

(4) The Project Operation Outlines
This project involved both Japanese and the US NGOs/ NPOs that are interested /alreadyinvolved in general marine litter issues, Tsunami oriented marine debris, and thereconstruction of disaster hit areas.
Organizations

Roles

Ocean Conservancy

Supports for the Hawaii and Oregon investigations,
including coordinating with the local related groups.
Supports for the Oregon investigators, including
coordinating with the local groups and collecting debris
data.

Partnership Office, Non Profit Organization

Supports for Material development and inter Japan forum
preparation / operation

KIDS NOW, Non Profit Organization

Supports for preparation and operation for

Miyagithe Sendai Forum.

DisasterReliefVolunteer

Center, Non Profit Organization(5) Coordination Prior to the Investigation
In carrying out this project, JEAN and Ocean Conservancy, the Washington D.C. based Non
Governmental Organization, worked together. These two organizations have been tied over1

20 years through. The coordinators in each state helped

the investigations. Ocean Conservancy provided updates of the marine debris at coastallines both in Hawaii islands and US mainland.
Also, the Seattle field coordinators worked hard between OC and the Oregon based ICC
coordinators for the smooth operation of the investigation.

The below shows thecommunication flow of the group participated.

US

Japan
Project CommitteeState ICC Coordinators
Updates

Peace Winds Japan, Seattle Based Coordinators

Networking with the US NGOs and NPOs
One of the goals of this project was to strengthen the ties between US-Japan NGO/ NPOs.
So far it has been attained. Moreover, this brought the advanced networking among thedomestic organizations, deepening the understanding of such international collaborations
as well as relating each organization.
The ministry of Environment released the mid term prospects for Tsunami marine
shores from Japan, November 9, 2012.

The 1 st Committee Meeting
Tackling the disaster debris

the efforts so far

US Japan NGO meeting on August 12
Marine debris issues before the disasterMarine Debris Research Projects
The objective of the whole project
The procedures for the project
Prospective arrivals of ocean debris from The Ministry of Environment
Marine Debris Overview on North American West Coasts
On Site Investigations / Questions and Answers
The 2 nd Committee Meeting
Updates of Disaster Ocean debris driftage
The review of the field investigation and the findings
Regarding the press release from The Ministry of Environment
Reports from the Investigators

2

The overview; investigation results and data collected
Additional comments from the investigation team members
Promotional campaign in Japan
Inter-Japan Forum preparation and operational arrangement
Other necessary updates
The 3 rd Committee Meeting
The review of the inter Japan forums
The review of the whole project
NGO/NPO The future plans for marine debris management
Other necessary updates

3

Project Committee Establishment
The project committee was established to examine the whole procedures of the on-site
investigation, data collection and the information disclosure.

-1 The Members of the Committee
The members were those tackling the marine debris and the sea environmental issues fromthe different fields; the staff members from Non Government Organizations, the researchers,
and those from Non Profit Organizations striving for the disaster area rebuilding as seenin Figure 1.
Figure 1. The members of the committee
Members

Name

Positions / Organizations

Minoru Ito

Chair, Clean Up Gamo

Akio Sakamoto

Chief Secretary, Umi 0 Tuskurukai

Kazumichi Sato

Chair of the Board, Partnership Office, NPO

Junko Chano

Executive Director, Sasagawa Peace Foundation, NPO

Tetsuhiro Nagayama

Chair of the Board, Miyagai Disaster Relief Center, NPO/ Chair, KIDS NOW

Rika Yamamoto

Chair of the Board, Peace Winds Japan, Certified
Specified NPO

Advisors

Kosaku Yokoyama

Chair, OWS, NPO

Atsuhiko Isobe

Professor, Center of Marine Environmental Studies,
Ehime University

Haruyuki Kanehiro

Professor, Otsuma Women's University

Satoko Kiyono

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Kyusyu
University

Hirofumi Hyuga

National

Shigeru Fujieda

Management

Institute

for

Land

and

Infrastructure

Professor, Faculty of Fisheries, Kagoshima University-2 Agendas for the Committee Meetings
The project committee meetings were held on the following dates;
The 1stNovember 21, 2013

The 2

nd

March 4, 2013

The 3

rd

March 25, 2013

The followings are the agenda for each committee meeting. For the detailed minutes, referto the appendix 1.

The 1 st Committee Meeting
Tackling the disaster debris

the efforts so far

US Japan NGO meeting on August 12
Marine debris issues before the disasterMarine Debris Research Projects
The objective of the whole project
The procedures for the project
Prospective arrivals of ocean debris from The Ministry of Environment
Marine Debris Overview on North American West Coasts
On Site Investigations / Questions and Answers
The 2 nd Committee Meeting
Updates of Disaster Ocean debris driftage
The review of the field investigation and the findings
Regarding the press release from The Ministry of Environment
Reports from the Investigators
The overview; investigation results and data collected
Additional comments from the investigation team members
Promotional campaign in Japan
Inter-Japan Forum preparation and operational arrangement
Other necessary updates
The 3 rd Committee Meeting
The review of the inter Japan forums
The review of the whole project
NGO/NPO The future plans for marine debris management
Other necessary updates

1Field Investigation and Information Collection On Site
-1 Field investigations Objectives
In the field investigation project, to sample the debris derived from the disaster orother origins, the following four types were conducted;- Disaster Origin Marine Debris Investigation- Japanese Origin Marine Debris Investigation- Coastal Driftage Investigation- Marine Debris Treatment Investigation
In

Origin Marine Debris Investigation

mainly the drifted items thought fromthe disaster for checking their amount and condition.
Besides the above, there have been ocean litters from Eastern Asian countries including
Japan.

e Origin Marine Debris Investigation

potentially from Japan but non TSUNAMI origin, by classifying them same as above.
Plus

l Driftage Investigationon the shore

circumstances. Recording the items of their numbers and conditions in the sample spot
may promise the quick response in accordance with the changing coastal environment oncethe major debris driftage occurs.

Investigationforth

the preparation against future major stranding, the target regions were examined of theirwork force, regional accessibility, and the treatments of the collected debris. In addition,
future supports from Japan was discussed.

-2 Field Investigation Procedures
The 7 subject coasts were

Kafuku beach, Oahu Islands, Hawaii, Kamilo Point, Hawaii Island,

Hawaii, Waiehu Beach, Maui Islands, Hawaii,Chinook Winds Beach, Lincoln City, Oregon,
Gleneden Beach, Lincoln City, Oregon and Nye Beach, New Port, Oregon
Map1 Location of the Investigation Beaches(with ocean currents indicated as white lines)2

Map 1 indicates location of the beaches. For the investigation trip details of Hawaii
delegation are in Appendix 2,as well as in the 3 for the Oregon delegation.
The investigation details are indicated in Figure 1 followed by the procedures.
Figure 1 Subject Beaches and Types of Investigations
State

Island/ City

Beach

Date

Disaster Origin

Japanese

CoastalMarineMarine Debris

Origin Marine

Driftage

DebrisInvestigation

DebrisInvesti-Treatment

Investigation

gationInvestigation

HawaiiOahu

Kahuku beachJan.102013

HawaiiKamilo point

Jan.122013

Maui

Waiehu beachJan.142013

OregonLincoln City

Lincoln City

New Port

ChinookFeb.15winds beach

2013

GlenedenFeb.15

beach

2013

Nye beachFeb.152013

Including the plastic fragments-2-1 Disaster Origin Marine Debris Investigation
Investigation

mainly the drifted items thought fromthe disaster were collected for checking their amount and condition.

-2-2 Japanese Origin Debris InvestigationIne Debrisfrom Japan but non TSUNAMI origin, by classifying them same as above.The subjects were;-Disposable lighters, identifiable of their sources-Oyster farm instruments or part of instruments ;oyster pipes, baby tubes, and thewashers-Pet bottles identifiable of their countries-Other debris with some Japanese written on
Also, the followings were collected for the comparison;- Chinese orange buoys- Chinese blue buoys

3

- Korean conger traps- Korean Sea squirt farm wires
If the driftage were too much, debris

Investigation-2-3 Coastal Driftage Investigation
To understand the density of driftage and proportional ratio of the items, 5 cm × 5cm
quadrats were set on the beach vertically across from the shoreline to the closest greens.
The oyster farm baby tubes, as large as 1.5 square meters, and objects larger werecollected from the quadrats. The features of the debris were recorded on the International
Costal Cleanup Data Card, Japanese version, for the breakdown and calculation.
For the plastic fragments

ipes , 40 cm × 40 cm × 5cm quadrats,

were placed inside the above coastal driftage investigation quadrats. Every 8Ls of sandwere collected and put in the watered bucket for the floating objects to be collected.
The collected objects were screened by the laboratory sieves after dried. The sieve
sizes of the mesh were 0.5mm, 1.0mm 1.4m, 2.0mm, 2.8mm, 4.0mm, and 8.0mm, with which
2 minutes of screenings were conducted. The objects were then classified into 8 types
according to their sizes as 0.5-1.0mm, 1.0-1.4mm, 1.4-2.0mm, 2.0-2.8mm, 2.8-4.0mm,
4.0-8.0mm, 8.0-16mm, and 16mm or greater.

-2-4 Marine Debris Treatment Investigation
To calculate the whole amount of objects,

itter Calculations Standardized Method

was applied. At the same time, the accessibility to the beach (time and distance) was
checked to see the potentiality of sample collection. Also, the interviews were conducted
to grasp the sorting out /disposal procedure.

-3 Field Investigation Analysis-3 1 Disaster Origin Marine Debris Investigation
In the Hawaii coastlines, some refrigerators or lighters with Japanese words written on
were found. Although some fish luring lights with Japanese words on were found in Oregon.
However, the keys to determine their origins were not found. Thus, it was hardly possible
to judge if they were the disaster origins. For many of the US citizens, it was too
difficult to distinguish languages other than English (Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese,
Russian, and Japanese). Many inquiry calls about drifted objects with foreign languages
were over generalizing that every item was of Tsunami origin regardless of the language
written. In Oregon beaches, despite their unknown origins, broken roofing applications
made of rigid polyurethane or fishery buoys of Styrofoam were found.

4-3-2. Japanese Origin Marine Debris Investigation
At Hawaii coastal areas, 237 disposable lighters have been collected, including thosefound for the past one year period. Among them, 84 were US origin to form the largest
group as 35.4 %, then 54 Japanese, 22.8%, and then 15 Taiwanese lighters were found to
be 6.3%.( figure 2). Further among these, the followings are found their origin; ; 12from Maui Island ,1 from Hualien County, Taiwan, 1 from Xinzhuang City, Taiwan, and 1
from Yamagata, Japan. From 3 beaches in Oregon, only 1 lighter were found and its home
is yet identified.
The popular oyster farm utensils in Japan, baby tubes, and the oyster pipes and washers,
particularly used in Hiroshima oyster farms, were found at all the sampling beaches (seeCoastal Driftage Figure2 for details). As Figure 3 indicates, these pipes exceeded 70/m
density at Kamilo Point, Hawaii. Among them, over 17 % were the pipes used in Hiroshimathat indicates the driftage source can be the Seto Inland Sea to the outer ocean.
On the other hand, to be described in Coastal Driftage Investigation, very few pet bottles
were found with clear origins; only 10 throughout the 4 beaches.
Thus, the origin trace was omitted. Also, Korean EEL sieves, sea squirt farm wires, largeball buoys, Japanese seaweed farm rings, Chinese orange buoys, and blue buoys were notfound in Hawaii whereas not in Oregon beaches.

Other
1.3

US
35.4

Unknown
27.4

KOREA
2.1
CHINA
4.6 TAIWAN

JAPAN
22.8

6.3

Figure 2. The origins of the disposable lighters found on Hawaii Beaches

5(Or) Chinook winds
beach(Ma) Waiehu Beach(Oa) Kahuku Beach(Ha) Kamilo Point
0

20

40

Density of Driftage

60
unit

80

m

Figure 3. Driftage Density of oyster pipes found on Hawaii Beaches-3 3

Coastal Driftage Investigation

The drifted debris breakdown is as in Figure 2. The debris such as Styrofoam pieces andresin pellets smaller than the standard subject size were omitted from recording on the
ICC Japanese Data Card. Details are in the micro plastic analysis section.
For the reference and comparison, the attached are the coastal debris breakdown on theJapan Pacific side by ICC, Sept.

Oct, 2012 as well as the 2011 ICC debris breakdown

conducted by JEAN at Midway Atoll.
Figure 4 indicates the proportion of the coastal drifted objects. Regarding the results,
the findings were similar to those at Pacific side of Japan done by ICC, there scatteredsome beverage related items, tobacco filters, fire works and so forth. Those were mainly
disposed by the beach goers.
However, at Midway Atoll or Hawaii Islands, the largest debris was hard plastics posing
over 90%, especially on Hawaii or Oahu Islands, showing a strong deviation to one fromthe others.
The oyster pipes

in U.S. coastal

areas, also counted as worst 2 especially on Hawaii Islands and Oahu Islands. Bottle
caps, ropes, and strings were ranked within the worst 10. As described, a lot of Styrofoam
and urethane foam debris were found at Chinook Winds Beach, Oregon.

6

7

ICC

Pacific Ocean
2012

Chinook winds beach
Waiehu Beach
Kahuku Beach
Kamilo Point
Midway Atoll
0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Proportion of Items
Hard Plastics

Plastic Sheets, Bags

Bottle Caps

Styrofoams Large

Food Vessels,

Wrappings

Cigarretttes, Filters

Ropes/ Strings

Paper

Bags/ Plastics (non agricultural)

Straws, Stirrers

Oyster Pipes

Urethane Foams

Worst 10 /Others

OthersFigure 4. Breakdown of Drifted Items
The density of drifted objects are shown in Figure 5. The highest density
was found in Kamilo point, Hawaii Island at 1119 unit/m. On the other hand, the density
at Chinook Beach Oregon was as little as 1/m, and its weight was smaller than 0.1kg/m,
100 times less than that of Hawaii Islands; 1.4-2.1kg/m.
From the above, on Hawaii Islands, the hard plastic fragments occupies largely while on
the Oregon coastlines, usually only little drifted litters are expected.
Micrortion is in Graph 6, Figure 3.

On those islands as Hawaii and Oahu, further, on their beaches as Kamilo Point and Kahuku
Beach, the hard micro plastic fragments occupied over 80 % of the whole micro plastics.
Also, in Oregon, where Styrofoam debris took 30 % of the whole drifted objects throughOcean Driftage Investigation, even in the micro plastic category, Styrofoam debris took
more than 20 %. Resin pellets found in these beaches accounted over 5 %.

8(Or) Chinook winds beach(Ma) Waiehu Beach(Oa) Kahuku Beach(Ha) Kamilo Point
Midway Atoll 2011
0

200

400

600

Driftage Density

800

1000

Number/m

Hard Plastics

Plastic Sheets, Bags

Bottle Caps

Styrofoams Large

Food Vessels, Wrappings

Cigarettes, Filters

Ropes, Strings

Paper

Plaastic Bags

Straws, Stirrers

Oyster Pipes

Urethane Foams

Worst 10 /Others

OthersFigure 5

1200

The density of the drifted objects(Or) Chinook winds beach st.2(Or) Chinook winds beach st.1
(Oa) kahuku beach st.2(Oa) Kahuku beach st.1
(Ha) Kamilo point
Midway Atoll 2011
0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Proportion
Hard Plastics

Styrofoams

Fishing Lines

Ropes

Urethane Foams

Burnt Plastics

Other Plastics

Resin Pellets

Other Plastic Products

Figure 6 Proportion of Micro Plastics (over 0.5m )9The Driftage Density of Micro Plastic Fragments (over 5.0 mm)(Or) Chinook winds beach st.2(Or) Chinook winds beach st.1
(Oa) kahuku beach st.2(Oa) Kahuku beach st.1
(Ha) Kamilo point
Midway Atoll 2011
0

20000

40000

Density of Driftage

60000

80000

100000

number/m

Hard Plastics

Styrofoams

Fishing Lines

Ropes

Urethane Foams

Burnt Plastics

Other Plastics

Resin Pellets

Other Plastic Products

10The driftage density is shown in Figure 7 of the micro plastic fragments larger than
0.5 mm. The highest density was shown in Kamilo Point, Hawaii where the density showedas high as 800000 /m2 .
According to Fujieda (2011) the average density of the micro plastic fragments in the
Seto Inland Sea, Japan, indicated 45, 833/m2 for Styrofoam litters, 892/m2 for hard plastic
debris, and 211/m2 for resin pellets.
When compared with these at Kamilo Beach, Hawaii Island, Styrofoam debris indicated very
low density as 1,094 / m2 , 1/40 of the average, whereas the hard plastics were more than
50 times (52, 019/ m2 ) and 20 times for resin pellets (4,644/ m2 ). This indicates evenat remote areas from the plastic litter source, at Kamilo Beach, Hawaii Islands, micro
plastic fragments and resin pellets are found. Thus, these beaches have different problems
from those of the inner beaches close to the region with dense population.
Figure 8 also indicates the size breakdown of the hard plastics collected at Kamilo Point,
Hawaii Island. The hard plastics occupies 23% of the whole, which indicates there might
as well exist those under 0.5 mm.
Because of the above, in the North Pacific, the decayed-then-fragmentized plastics arefound after a considerable floating on the current to Hawaii Islands and West coast of
the United States. So will the plastics washed away due to the Tsunami along with thelong term floating be smaller particles.

4.0-8.0mm
12%8.0-16.0mm
1%2.84.0mm
15%

16.0mm1%

0.5-1.0mm
23%2.0-2.8mm
18%
1.4-2.0mm
20%1.0-1.4mm
10%Figure 8 Size Differences of Hard Plastics at Kamilo Point11-3 4 Marine Debris Treatment Investigation-3 4 1 Hawaii Beaches
At Hawaii Beaches, three beaches of the three different islands were investigated of theirdriftage at the shore, looked into their site details so that the practical and smoothcollection of debris and would be possible.

Kahuku Beach (Oahu Island)
Kahuku Beachh is conveniently located as it is only 15 min. drive from Turtle Bay Condos,
our base, and is 90 min. from the Honolulu City. There is a grass filed for parking, justalong from the gate of the James Campbell National Wild Reservation to the beach, whichsurely enables the team of volunteers to work on debris collection . However, the bathroom
is in distance as 3km away, in the office of the Reservation, which is the only one around.
Plus, the investigators may have to prepare their own waters for drinking. Since thebeach itself is relatively large, the collected debris may need some people to get it
transported. Some shallow shores had a lot of micro plastics captured. A small cottage
is next to the reservation office and an open space, initial briefing for the collection
can be done here, then drive to the gate, and start exploring the beach.
Kamiro point (Hawaii Island)
Kamiro Point is about 4 hours and 20 minutes away by driving from Hiro Hawaiian Hotel,
the team base. Because of the time for commuting, the team may be limited to work only
for a few hours though keeping an early start. The bathroom is only located at the nearest
park by the highway which is still one hour distance, coupled with a bumpy drive if thevolunteers go to beach for collection. The investigators have to have a 4WD vehicle anda truck to the collection site. Plus, temporary restrooms should be installed.
Also, drinking water should be secured. Considering this beach circumstances, only lessthan 100 people can work for collection. Moreover, some large sized fishing nets were
drifted along with a lot of plastic debris. Worse enough, the car rental company did notallow its cars to pass these bad roads. The collected litter is taken to the dump store,
where the local citizens bring in their house garbage since the garbage collection system
has not yet been established. Then the litter is sort out, stored, and transported to
Oahu Island in the containers for disposals.

Waiehu Beach (Maui Island)
Waiehu Beach is 10 minutes away from the base, The Maui Beach Hotel, but only 6-7 cars
are available to park. Hence, to secure the parking space is necessary in a large team
activity. Also, temporary bathrooms should be installed for a long time practice of12collection. The beach is relatively narrow and long where a lot of wood and fishing nets
are adrift. Plus, probably because of the golf yard nearby, many golf balls were found.
Findings of Hawaii Coasts
Foreign volunteer staff can work on the pre-ground contacts with the local community
leaders and the ICC coordinators and other interest groups are very active and well tied
throughout the islands.
However, regarding Kamilo Point, Hawaii Island, where the largest driftage was found,the beach accessibility is a little problematic. For the visiting staff, it will be alittle difficult to fully work.
In order for sending Japanese volunteer staff in response to the Japan origin debris ,before the need arises, securing the manpower who coordinates those with a high commandof Japanese language and understanding of the culture is necessary. Also a certain amountof funds may require for the payment of the salaries, the travels costs, and for thetransportation. At the same time, money for the pre-ground operational work done by ICC
coordinators and related groups should be secured.
From the investigation, though a lot of drifted objects were found, not yet to judge themas the disaster debris. Also, it is important the general marine litter issues are thebasis of this disaster marine debris problem. Considering this, JapanUS NGOs should

work collaboratively on 1) the debris collections conducted when the semi annual ICC isheld in September, and 2) keeping the local volunteer workers registered in case for thelarge driftage to occur.

-3 4 2 Oregon Beaches

spring and fall, dividing the whole state beaches into 14 zones.
The Oregon beaches expand to the south and north along with Oregon Coast Highway on the
coastlines. There are nearby residential areas and it is very easy to commute the beach.
The river oriented drifted debris, such as large trees, can be found on these sandy beaches.
Particularly at this investigation, not much driftage was found other than some micro
plastic particles. At the bordering backside areas of the beaches, still not much driftage,debris, was identified which indicates very few objects are drifted on the daily basis.

Chinook Winds Beach (Lincoln City)
Chinook Winds Beach iswith Chinook Winds Resort

Hotel as its landmark in the center of the lengthy beach. In front of the hotel, the beach13

hotel is neighboring the parking lot, restaurants, and the shopping center.
From the Portland Airport, the shuttle bus drives to the hotel, with the reservation needed,
for about 120 miles taking two hours and a half. The access to the beach is secured thougha bit far from the airport.
Plus, the beach is neighboring the hotel and Japanese volunteers may feel it easy togo for debris collection. The beach is of singing sand that is not so steep. Thus, when
the tide is low, the 100m sand beach reveals, and the highest tide may cover whole thebeach. Debris collection may be disturbed when the tide is highest, moreover, some
re-driftage back to the ocean could take place. As its severe winter brings a lot of windy
rain than sunshine, the debris treatment may require a lot of hard work.
There are some other hotels available and the rate becomes rather expensive in the summer
as more guests are expected. This beacon the OREGON BEACH CLEAN UP Web site. The debris taken from this zone is transported
to North Lincoln Sanitary Service for disposals, located at the south Devils Lake. The
debris from this investigation was, too, taken there for disposals.

Gleneden Beach Lincoln Beach
Gleneden Beach is located at the center of 9km sandy beach, lying from the south of Siletz
Bay to Lincoln Beach and is 20 minutes drive from the Chinook Winds Resort Hotel. Parking
space is available approximately for 10 cars. The beach is very close to the parking
lot. There was a relatively more debris. The sandy beach is higher than the sea level,
and even in high tide, the beach would not be fully covered, and re-driftage does notoften take place.
on the SOLVE OREGON CLEANUP website,whose litters are taken to North Lincoln Sanitary Service for disposals.

Nye Beach Newport
Nye Beach is a 6.5 km beach, lying the north of Newport Port. The beach is less steep
as is Chinook Winds Beach, and reveals itself at the lowest tide. It is located at thesouth of the Chinook Winds Resort Hotel, about 45 minutes of driving on the Oregon Coast
Highway as far as 45 km from the hotel. Parking space is available and surrounding are
the residential areas or summer houses expecting a lot of beach goers.
This beach is regisatOverview of Oregon Debris Management

14

To Oregon state, 5 direct flights per week are available from Narita International Airport.
Also, flights are available via Seattle, Vancouver, Hawaii, and San Francisco. All ofthem, however, may require early reservation, which makes it not so suitable for the
emergency trip for the Japanese debris team.
SOLVE, the main ICC coordinator in Oregon, hosting Oregon Beach Cleanup, is well connectedwith each of the municipal organizations. One of the major recreational activities ofdebrisdrifted. This is an acknowledged activity from the whole states, and the state wideawareness to the debris is relatively high.

Also, preparing for the huge future driftage, the training of emergency cleanup is
tailored; by e-mail, phone, fax or SNS are used to gather as many volunteer staff in alimited time to respond to the debris. They are very well prepared and available forthe prospective large driftage.
Once the large driftage hits, SOLVE has to focus on the first response to it, it is difficult
to ask them for the arrangement to accommodate Japanese volunteers. Rather, it may berealistic for the Japanese volunteers to participate in the semi annual events, Oregon
Beach Cleanup, may be the better solution.

-4

Meeting with the NGOs and other representatives-4-1. NGO meeting at Hawaii Investigation
In Hawaii investigation, ICC coordinators from each island and the Japanese delegation
had a meeting, also with the NGO/NPO related staffs, NOAA, and Hawaii State government
officials. The content was as follows:
In Hawaii, the environmental hazard response is well formed among the relatedorganizations, though the financial resource may need to secure.
From the Japanese participants, ideas were proposed for the under water debris
monitoring. We would like to forward this idea so that it would make possible to workwith the underwater conservancy run by divers.
Also, collecting and sharing the debris information and data should be advanced inorder for more accurate calculation. NOAA has been conducting under water monitoringfor 14 years at some areas.
In Hawaii, some cases are reported that people hurt themselves while snorkeling. Also
the damage of the coral leafs, and invasive foreign species are the current

15environmental issues to concern.
To prepare for the treatment of memorable items when adrift. Now that the collectingof information is getting ready for the prospective driftage.
As for now, the focus should be on how to manage the information flow to whoeverconcerned; Japan US NGOs, government organizations, local community, and general
citizens, because this becomes the strongest and necessary counteract against thedebris problems. The participants agreed that they proceed on strengthening thecommunication basis among all.
It is necessary to give primacy on the things on the working list; which beach shouldbe the first to clean up or so. This will enable us the most efficient way of utilizing
the limited resources, both human and financial.
OthersAfter the US- Japan NGO meeting, Hawaii ICC coordinators had a suggestion from the
NOAA representative, as to implement the web cam beach debris monitoring system madeby a team of Japanese researchers. Responding to it, OWS has started to seek for thesponsors for this project with JEAN.

-4-2. Oregon meeting and workshops at the investigation
During the investigation at Oregon, the delegation had a meeting with the local Japaneserelated groups and community organizers as well as holding the special workshop with them.
In Oregon, there is a long history of beach maintenance with the local NGOs. Plus theclose relation ship among the Japan related organizations has already been established.
In Oregon, 5 beach rangers periodically watch the beach at PARKS AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT,and litter collection, and sorting out of the data are also conducted. The informationis share with SOLVE.
Among the state of Washington, Oregon, and California, the governors already set up an
alliance in order for them to actively involved in marine debris management cooperatingwith the environmental NGOs under state-wide collaborative plans.

Not only against
the debris impacts, but also toward the rebuilding of Japanese disaster struck areas,
we very much(workshop comments)

16

Inter Japan Efforts for Awareness Raising
Two forums were held in Sendai and Tokyo to officially report the outcomes of theinvestigations and related activities. They were held for the Japanese NGOs , the privateorganizations and other groups involved in marine environment conservation, including
the debris management, in the hope that the outcomes will be fully taken advantage by
these attendees.

-1. Domestic Conference; Tokyo Forum
The details of Tokyo Forum are as follows;(1) Time, Date and Venue
Time & Date :13:30-16:30, Friday, March 15, 2013
Venue: #2 TKP Star Conference Room,
1-8-6 Horinaka Building, Yotsuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo(2) Title and Hosts:
Title

Debris and its Management with Overviews on
Ocean Litters

HostedbyOperated by

Japan - US NGO Joint Investigation Review

Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan
JEAN, General Incorporated Association

In Cooperation with

Sasagawa Peace Foundation, Ocean Conservancy(3) Contents
13:00 Registration
13:30 Opening by Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency,
Independent Administrative Institutions
13:35

About the Forum by JEAN

13:40

On site investigation and the outcome
1 Overview of Investigation Resultsby Shigeru Fujieda, Professor, Kagoshima University
2 Further Findings from Hawaii Investigation
by Kosaku Yokoyama, Chair, OWS
3 Further Findings from Oregon Investigation,
by Rika Yamamoto, Emergency Response Manager,
Peace Wind Japan

14:15 Commentaries from ICC Coordinators and other representatives
1. From Hawaii by Chris Woolaway
2. From Oregon by Briana Goodwin

17

3. From Alaska by Patrick Chandler and Christopher Pallister
15:00 Intermission; DVD showing; On site investigation video
15:15 General Ocean Debris Issues by JEAN
15:35 Additional Commentaries by Nicholas Mallos, Ocean Conservancy
15:45 Questions and Answers
16:30 Closing by JEAN
conference dismissed 10 min. later than scheduled.
(4)Other
Poster session was in the lobby regarding the on site investigation andgeneral marine debris problems(5)Participants
In total, 65 people attended. The groups and organizations, besides
individual participants, that attended were as follows (except the press,in the order of registration);
The Sasagawa Peace Foundation
Pasco Co.,Ltd.
Castle International Co., Ltd
Toyo Construction Co.,Ltd.
Mitsui & Co.,Ltd.
Japan Sea born Art Association
Tokyu Agency Inc.
Ocean Family Marine Nature Experience Center, NPO
The Ocean Wildlife Society, NPO
KIDS NOW, NPO
International Institute of environment Japan(IIEJ)
Amway Japan LLC.
Peace Winds Japan
Tottori University of Environmental Studies
Umimori Jimukyoku
World Oceans Day Japan(WODL), NPO
Eco Publishing Ltd.
Lake BlueThe Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers
Asahi Advertising Inc.
Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. Ltd.
Northwest Pacific Action Plan(NOWPAP) Regional Coordinating Unit(RCU)
Okinawa Ocean Culture & Environment Action Network
Japan NUS Co.,Ltd.
OSEAN
Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry of Environment

18

The Chief Cabinet Marine Policy Head Quarters
Gulf of Alaska Keeper Japan Office
Bio Island Network
Earth Works Society
Center for Research and Promotion of Japan Islands
Kanagawa Prefectural Fisheries Technology Center-2. Domestic Conference; Sendai Forum
The details of Sendai Forum are as follows;(1)Time, Date, and Venue
Time & Date :14:00-17:00, Sunday, March 17* AM: US NGO delegation visited Tsunami hit areas

Venue: 6th Floor Gallery, El Park Sendai
141 Building, 4-11-1 Ichibancho, Sendai, Aobaku, Miyagi(2) Title and Hosts:
Title

Debris and its Management with Overviews
on Ocean Litters

Japan - US NGO Joint Investigation Review

Hosted byEnvironmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan

Operated by

JEAN, General Incorporated Association

Supported by

Ministry of Environment

In Cooperation with ; Sasagawa Peace Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, KIDS NOW(3)Contents
13:30 Registration Starts
14:05 Opening
by Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency,
Independent Administrative Institutions
14:05 About the Forum by JEAN
14:10 On site investigation and the outcome
1 Overview of Investigation Resultsby Shigeru Fujieda, Professor, Kagoshima University
2 Further Findings from Hawaii Investigation
by Kzaumichi Sato, Chair, NPO Partnership Office
3 Further Findings from Oregon Investigation
by Tetsuhiro Nagayama, Chair, KIDS NOW
14:45

Commentaries from ICC Coordinators and other representatives
1

From Hawaii by Chris Woolaway

2

From Oregon by Briana Goodwin

19

3

From Alaska by Patrick Chandler and Christopher Pallister

15:30 Intermission; DVD showing; On site investigation video
15:45 General Ocean Debris Issues by JEAN
16:05 Additional Commentaries by Nicholas Mallos, Ocean Conservancy
16:15 Questions and Answers; Opening speech Mr. Ito, Cleanup Gamo,
17:00 Closing by JEAN
conference dismissed 15 min. later than scheduled.
(4)Other
Poster session was in the lobby regarding the on site investigation andgeneral marine debris problems(5)Participants
In total, 158 people attended. The groups and organizations, besides
individual participants,that attended were as follows (except the press,in the order of registration);
Michinoku Sonpo Club
East Japan Earth Quake Hit Are Creation Center, NPO
Aomori Sanpchi Fishery Arrangement Head Office
Aomori Prefectural Agricultural Bureau Fishery Division
Mutsu City
Sanyo Girls' Junior High School
Sendai Environmental Web Site Tamakisan Headquarter
Kesennuma Rebuilding Association
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. Tohoku Branch
Rokugo Shichigo Cominet Head Office
Funbaro Higasshi Nihon Project
Sendai City Fire Department
Miyagi Counter Disaster Volunteer Center
Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry of Environment
Honorary Consulate-General of the Republic of Fiji
Clean up Gamou
ALPS Electric Co.,Ltd.
Fujitsu Ltd.

20

-3

Japan Forum Meeting Minutes

The following comments were collected at the two inter Japan forums at Tokyo and Sendai.
Additions to the investigation results from the delegation.
The investigation brought about the opportunities for both parties to share theinformation and exchange ideas.
Debris problems had existed long before the disaster, and the seriousness of the matterhas been recognized deeply.
Some people in the disaster stricken area are blaming themselves too much for the Tsunami
debris problems. However, not so many US citizen feel that way. Rather, such debris
could naturally flew from the neighbors in the North Pacific. These comments may as
well be delivered to Japanese citizens.
Not only the disaster North American debris management at the west coasts, also, thesefindings should well be known among Japanese people as the issue itself is would not
get dried for discussion.

About Alaska
In the state of Alaska, the coastlines are longer than those of other states,and only few roads have been ready to the shores. The official state road runs only
half of the other states in number.
The cleanup activities are grouped into two; one is nearby the residential areas, while
the remote clean up requires the helicopters and boats to travel afar for the activity.
Alaskan debris problems, remote cleanup is taking an important part, but theit requires
financial back up and has security problems.
For 7 years, by the helicopter shots, the debris data has been collected. However, forthe disaster debris, not yet state budget yet has been allotted particularly to thedisaster debris.
Styrofoam are of high impacts as the amount is large that prevents smooth transportationand disposals.
The population of the State of Alaska is facilitated with the disposal site only enoughto serve 720,000 people.
SeattlFor the large amount of drifted litters, they are taken tois limited.

21

The state of Alaska is grateful that many people in Japan are concerned with the disasterdebris from Japan. The people understand what happened to people at the Great East
Japan Earthquakes.
The driftage increased as much as 80 to 100 times compared to before the earthquake.
As the Styrofoam fragments are found in the rivers where the wild salmons inhabit andthe swamps in the state, the concern for environmental destruction increased.
The collected large sea farming buoys were given to oyster farms on Prince Williams
Island for recycling.
Alaskan State Government has not yet allotted budget for the debris management. The
activities so far have been supported by the federal government. The pollution
consolatory money from Japan may be the largest amount.
The voices about disaster debris have given impacts to Alaskan citizens as to raise
the awareness on the other end.
The broadcasted news about the marine debris from disaster also moved Japanese
government.

From the US NGO Staff Members
Regarding the disaster marine debris issue, taken up by JEAN , and their visits to the
U.S. have given a start of taking counteraction against the debris problems by the US
government.
Same has happened to NOAA and Hawaii State government. That has made then strive forthe problem.
In the State of Oregon, the beaches are well maintained because of the constant cleanups
by the volunteers. However, some remote beaches are not, with a lot of driftage.
At present, 15 workshops haveend of this series of workshops, all the Oregon areas will have been covered and be
ready for the marine debris management. After the disaster of Japan, the volunteer
workers increased in number.
The highest number of disaster marine debris have been adrift to the sate of Alaska.
What we have been collecting is in a form of broken objects, but truly these are thepieces of their daily life, the tragic memories, andWe would like to let the people in my country know much about this.

22s whole life.

Visiting Japan enabled me to view the problem as a whole, not only by my brain but at
my heart. Seeing the disaster stricken beaches, areas and meeting people there, were
all very precious moments for me.
I was so impressed at the effort of the people even though they have been through sucha big disaster.
Such conversation has brought us the ties across the wide ocean.
The disaster debris are only a part of whole sea litter pollution issue.
We might as well tackle the marine debris problem going through the hardships of the
Tsumani and earthquake.
We would appreciate the Japan effort for the pre and post disaster experience, in terms
of preparation and how to deal it afterwards. This should get known to everybody in
the U.S.
The governmental consolatory money for pollution has been used for the large debris
treatment such as removing of the drifted floating pier from Japan washed to Washington
State.

From Forum ParticipantsTlife-memory

is a very warm thought for us.

The ICC global net work enables
feeling, the working principles, and the feed back after the activities.
Marine debris problems are the issues reflecting our society, just down sized.
The marine debris is truly derived from humans. The suggestion lies in is that we needto look back our lifestyles.
We very much would like the international marine debris summit in the disaster area.

Returning of Drifted Objects

23

The treatment of the drifted objects should be more and more careful to identify thesource and the original owner.
In the Lions Club Oregon, the fund raising activities have started for the efforts toreturn these drifted objects. Probably, there is a room for cooperation with the Miyagi
local Lions Club.
In Japan, with the ties of JEAN, KIDS NOW and others, we would like to advance the project
for the returning of the memorial objects.

24

The future Projects
Disaster debris investigation breakdown is indicated in figure 4. Before February 2013,
some large debris from the Japan disaster have been identified. Also, some Styrofoam debris
and urethane foam items are now found adrift in these beaches, not like before. Other
than these, in Hawaii Coasts, analysis found that disaster origin debris have been giving
more influence on the other debris. Some objects had not been yet adrift to these particularbeaches, but now so conspicuous. Also, on the Hawaii Beaches, there found a lot influence
from pre disaster drifted plastics.
It is considered that because of Tsunami, not only the torn down houses, but from theother resources, the plastic debris traveled long way from Japan. The calculation showsthat those adrift at shores will continue floating some years on. Thus, more serious
environmental hazards are possible, furthermore, it might keep influencing thesurrounding environment.
Talking about the counteracts, the readiness for the upcoming driftage could set the
networking among the inter Japan interest groups. Throughout the year round efforts, thisenables the smooth flow of information about the disaster debris In the State of Hawaii,
where many of Japanese volunteer workers are expected, the coordinators are distributedon each island so that periodical cleanups have been conducted and disposal work flow
has been established.
In Oregon, Oregon Beach Cleanup is held state wide twice in a year, in spring and fall.
The networking has been well established among the municipal governments and local working
groups. From the emergency call (211) system acknowledgement and distribution of thebeach watch staff for the major upcoming driftage, to the emergency cleanup training anddampster (collection containers) installation, Oregon is able to implement many of thecounter driftage action plans.
However, the problems lies if Japanese staff wish to give a quick on site help; the overseas
traveling cost, time differences, and initial response for the emergency, plus the language
barriers. Furthermore, access is limited because the public transportation is notavailable to the beaches. As the Ministry of Environment submitted, the calculation of
the prospective path of huge disaster debris was revealed to reach Canadian West Coast.
Thus, once this major driftage is acknowledged, the local staff will be fully demanded
for the initial treatment of the drifted debris. In order for the acceptance of volunteer
staff from overseas for a long term, there required a full time coordinator for Japanesevolunteers very soon.
As for the future plans, the following states or regions might as well be subject forthe on site investigation as early as possible once the weather permits, say, after spring25

this year. Because in these areas, the investigations were not able to conduct due tothe severe winter weather of January and February even though the driftage is identified;
Alaska, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada.
If the constant driftage is expected, in order to reduce the application workload forthe local coordinators, the periodical openings of clean up activities should be informed
throughout the nation so that it may prevent the concentration of volunteers to one placethan the others. Also, for the issues to be kept aware of, collaborative cleanups between
the countries should be held on the same timely basis. Furthermore, the current ocean
debris problems may partially be because of the litters from Japan, not only just postdisaster debris.
The disaster marine debris from the Great East Japan Earthquake has multiplied in numberin the long floating and decaying. This again increases the distribution among the areas
so does the level and length of the influence of the problem. Hence, in Hawaii, the centerof the Pacific Rim, ICC cleanup and workshops by the NGOs and researchers should be held
so that this debris issue could be informed to the world.
This is the outcome from the US-Japan NGO collaboration, entrust establishment, anddiscussion for the debris impact management.

26

Figure 4 Disaster Debris Investigations Outcome
Hosting States
Japan

Hawaii

OregonLarge sized driftage is identified
Driftage

Small Japanese

Despite the driftage, theLeveldebris driftage isrelatively clean environment is

identified.

maintained.

Large amount ofplastic debris arefound adrift at
certain points of thebeachPreparation

Local coordination by SOLVE

Domestic

Each Island has own

Coordinator has

coordinators

Emergency hotline (211)appointed

Periodical Cleanup

establishment

is conducted
Information

Beach Watch is deployedgathering for theTraining for emergency

hosting ofcleanups

volunteer staff

Spring and Fall clean ups are
conducted.
Disposal flow confirmed

Distance(travel
Issues tofees, time

considerdifference, andOn site Coordinator is required.

emergency
procedure)
Language
Barrier
Access to the
Beach

FuturePlans

Collaborative

Open information for theSemi annual Oregon Bach Cleanups inCleanups

Inter island cleanups toSpring and Fallsummon the volunteer
workers

The whole marine debris consists of the both pre and post disaster debris andmeasures should be implemented on the basis of well round understating of thenature of marine environmental problems. A lot of the debris is yet adrift, andlong term management and planning are required for this marine litter issue.

27references
Shigeru FUJIEDA, Micro Plastic Fragments in the Seto Inland Sea,24(1),57-65,2011,

Journal of Japan Association for Coastal Zone Studies
Shigeru FUJIEDA, Rifting and Grounding of Plastic Pipes used in Oyster Farming in the
Seto Inland Sea, 77(1),23-30,2011, Nippon Suisan Gakkai Magazine
The whole findings of this project were reviewed in the third committee meeting. Plus,thorough discussion was made regarding the networking expected among the NGOs. Refer tothe following comments:
The field reports will be created by JEAN and posted on the Website both in Japaneseand English. The details will be discussed further.
Sendai forum videos will be available for those wish to view. The film ought to beunder control of the hosting organization.
Regarding the tons of buoys collected in Alaksa, they shall be returned following
the discussion between the US-Japan NGO stuff members, in respect to the original
eir conditions, types, amount, as well as its transportation costs.
Costal Clean UP of US

Japan synchronized holding require the utilizing ofSkype or other communication methods. Probably the best to open is around ICC
September 13.
We shall not regard the sending of volunteer stuff for debris collecting asgiven the highest priority.
For the volunteers should work on their own budget. If too much debris
adrift, some technical research should be done.
For the Hawaii State, some volunteer tours can be considered setting the time
to coincide with the ICC holding period.
Info. Site for the debris should be once terminated at the end of March 13
while the MALIP information disclosure continues.
Further discussion may require for the future large debris adrift: how
to deal with it either inside or outside Japan including organized response
and assigning of the jobs among the stuff related.
Dealing of the drifted objects to the original owners- thought- to28

be is amatter of discussion in respect to its job flow of returning, cost assurance, object
storage, and duration of the storage.
The mailing list should be utilized for the setting up of the meeting among the
NGO stuff members regardless how official they should be.
This project is now to finish, however, JEAN will become responsible for assigningwhich entities or organizations to take the initiatives to the tasks assigned.
For this purpose, meetings to shall hopefully be proposed by JEAN early next year.
As a last note, we would like to acknowledge and show our gratefulness to the related
people and organizations such as and Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry ofEnvironment. Also, we would like to thank Sasagawa Peace Foundation for their dedication
to invite those US NGO stuff and related people.
Mach, 2013
JEAN
General Incorporated Association
Project Operator

29

Field Investigation and Information Collection On Site
-1 Field investigations Objectives
In the field investigation project, to sample the debris derived from the disaster orother origins, the following four types were conducted;- Disaster Origin Marine Debris Investigation- Japanese Origin Marine Debris Investigation- Coastal Driftage Investigation- Marine Debris Treatment Investigation
In

Origin Marine Debris Investigation

mainly the drifted items thought fromthe disaster for checking their amount and condition.
Besides the above, there have been ocean litters from Eastern Asian countries including
Japan.

e Origin Marine Debris Investigation

potentially from Japan but non TSUNAMI origin, by classifying them same as above.
Plus, in

Driftage Investigationon the shore

circumstances. Recording the items of their numbers and conditions in the sample spot
may promise the quick response in accordance with the changing coastal environment oncethe major debris driftage occurs.

Investigationforth

the preparation against future major stranding, the target regions were examined of theirwork force, regional accessibility, and the treatments of the collected debris. In addition,
future supports from Japan was discussed.

-2 Field Investigation Procedures
The 7 subject coasts were

Kafuku beach, Oahu Islands, Hawaii, Kamilo Point, Hawaii Island,

Hawaii, Waiehu Beach, Maui Islands, Hawaii,Chinook Winds Beach, Lincoln City, Oregon,
Gleneden Beach, Lincoln City, Oregon and Nye Beach, New Port, Oregon
Map1 Location of the Investigation Beaches(with ocean currents indicated as white lines)
Map 1 indicates location of the beaches. For the investigation trip details of Hawaii
delegation are in Appendix 2,as well as in the 3 for the Oregon delegation.
The investigation details are indicated in Figure 1 followed by the procedures.

Figure 1 Subject Beaches and Types of Investigations
State

Island/ City

Beach

Date

Disaster Origin

Japanese

CoastalMarineMarine Debris

Origin Marine

Driftage

DebrisInvestigation

DebrisInvesti-Treatment

Investigation

gationInvestigation

HawaiiOahu

Kahuku beachJan.102013

HawaiiKamilo point

Jan.122013

Maui

Waiehu beachJan.142013

OregonLincoln City

Lincoln City

New Port

ChinookFeb.15winds beach

2013

GlenedenFeb.15

beach

2013

Nye beachFeb.152013

Including the plastic fragments-2-1 Disaster Origin Marine Debris Investigation
Investigation

mainly the drifted items thought fromthe disaster were collected for checking their amount and condition.

-2-2 Japanese Origin Debris Investigatione Debrisfrom Japan but non TSUNAMI origin, by classifying them same as above.The subjects were;-Disposable lighters, identifiable of their sources-Oyster farm instruments or part of instruments ;oyster pipes, baby tubes, and thewashers-Pet bottles identifiable of their countries-Other debris with some Japanese written on
Also, the followings were collected for the comparison;- Chinese orange buoys- Chinese blue buoys- Korean conger traps- Korean Sea squirt farm wires
If the driftage were too much, debris

Investigation1

-2-3 Coastal Driftage Investigation
To understand the density of driftage and proportional ratio of the items, 5 cm × 5cm
quadrats were set on the beach vertically across from the shoreline to the closest greens.
The oyster farm baby tubes, as large as 1.5 square meters, and objects larger werecollected from the quadrats. The features of the debris were recorded on the International
Costal Cleanup Data Card, Japanese version, for the breakdown and calculation.
For the plastic fragments

ipes , 40 cm × 40 cm × 5cm quadrats,

were placed inside the above coastal driftage investigation quadrats. Every 8Ls of sandwere collected and put in the watered bucket for the floating objects to be collected.
The collected objects were screened by the laboratory sieves after dried. The sieve
sizes of the mesh were 0.5mm, 1.0mm 1.4m, 2.0mm, 2.8mm, 4.0mm, and 8.0mm, with which
2 minutes of screenings were conducted. The objects were then classified into 8 types
according to their sizes as 0.5-1.0mm, 1.0-1.4mm, 1.4-2.0mm, 2.0-2.8mm, 2.8-4.0mm,
4.0-8.0mm, 8.0-16mm, and 16mm or greater.

-2-4 Marine Debris Treatment Investigation
To calculate the whole amount of objects,

itter Calculations Standardized Method

was applied. At the same time, the accessibility to the beach (time and distance) was
checked to see the potentiality of sample collection. Also, the interviews were conducted
to grasp the sorting out /disposal procedure.

-3 Field Investigation Analysis-3 1 Disaster Origin Marine Debris Investigation
In the Hawaii coastlines, some refrigerators or lighters with Japanese words written on
were found. Although some fish luring lights with Japanese words on were found in Oregon.
However, the keys to determine their origins were not found. Thus, it was hardly possible
to judge if they were the disaster origins. For many of the US citizens, it was too
difficult to distinguish languages other than English (Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese,
Russian, and Japanese). Many inquiry calls about drifted objects with foreign languages
were over generalizing that every item was of Tsunami origin regardless of the language
written. In Oregon beaches, despite their unknown origins, broken roofing applications
made of rigid polyurethane or fishery buoys of Styrofoam were found.

-3-2. Japanese Origin Marine Debris Investigation
At Hawaii coastal areas, 237 disposable lighters have been collected, including thosefound for the past one year period. Among them, 84 were US origin to form the largest

2

group as 35.4 %, then 54 Japanese, 22.8%, and then 15 Taiwanese lighters were found to
be 6.3%.( figure 2). Further among these, the followings are found their origin; ; 12from Maui Island ,1 from Hualien County, Taiwan, 1 from Xinzhuang City, Taiwan, and 1
from Yamagata, Japan. From 3 beaches in Oregon, only 1 lighter were found and its home
is yet identified.
The popular oyster farm utensils in Japan, baby tubes, and the oyster pipes and washers,
particularly used in Hiroshima oyster farms, were found at all the sampling beaches (seeCoastal Driftage Figure2 for details). As Figure 3 indicates, these pipes exceeded 70/m
density at Kamilo Point, Hawaii. Among them, over 17 % were the pipes used in Hiroshimathat indicates the driftage source can be the Seto Inland Sea to the outer ocean.
On the other hand, to be described in Coastal Driftage Investigation, very few pet bottles
were found with clear origins; only 10 throughout the 4 beaches.
Thus, the origin trace was omitted. Also, Korean EEL sieves, sea squirt farm wires, largeball buoys, Japanese seaweed farm rings, Chinese orange buoys, and blue buoys were notfound in Hawaii whereas not in Oregon beaches.

Other
1.3

US
35.4

Unknown
27.4

KOREA
2.1
CHINA
4.6 TAIWAN

JAPAN
22.8

6.3

Figure 2. The origins of the disposable lighters found on Hawaii Beaches

3(Or) Chinook winds
beach(Ma) Waiehu Beach(Oa) Kahuku Beach(Ha) Kamilo Point
0

20

40

Density of Driftage

60
unit

80

m

Figure 3. Driftage Density of oyster pipes found on Hawaii Beaches-3 3

Coastal Driftage Investigation

The drifted debris breakdown is as in Figure 2. The debris such as Styrofoam pieces andresin pellets smaller than the standard subject size were omitted from recording on the
ICC Japanese Data Card. Details are in the micro plastic analysis section.
For the reference and comparison, the attached are the coastal debris breakdown on theJapan Pacific side by ICC, Sept.

Oct, 2012 as well as the 2011 ICC debris breakdown

conducted by JEAN at Midway Atoll.
Figure 4 indicates the proportion of the coastal drifted objects. Regarding the results,
the findings were similar to those at Pacific side of Japan done by ICC, there scatteredsome beverage related items, tobacco filters, fire works and so forth. Those were mainly
disposed by the beach goers.
However, at Midway Atoll or Hawaii Islands, the largest debris was hard plastics posing
over 90%, especially on Hawaii or Oahu Islands, showing a strong deviation to one fromthe others.
The oyster pipes

in U.S. coastal

areas, also counted as worst 2 especially on Hawaii Islands and Oahu Islands. Bottle
caps, ropes, and strings were ranked within the worst 10. As described, a lot of Styrofoam
and urethane foam debris were found at Chinook Winds Beach, Oregon.

4

5

ICC

Pacific Ocean
2012

Chinook winds beach
Waiehu Beach
Kahuku Beach
Kamilo Point
Midway Atoll
0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Proportion of Items
Hard Plastics

Plastic Sheets, Bags

Bottle Caps

Styrofoams Large

Food Vessels,

Wrappings

Cigarretttes, Filters

Ropes/ Strings

Paper

Bags/ Plastics (non agricultural)

Straws, Stirrers

Oyster Pipes

Urethane Foams

Worst 10 /Others

OthersFigure 4. Breakdown of Drifted Items
The density of drifted objects are shown in Figure 5. The highest density
was found in Kamilo point, Hawaii Island at 1119 unit/m. On the other hand, the density
at Chinook Beach Oregon was as little as 1/m, and its weight was smaller than 0.1kg/m,
100 times less than that of Hawaii Islands; 1.4-2.1kg/m.
From the above, on Hawaii Islands, the hard plastic fragments occupies largely while on
the Oregon coastlines, usually only little drifted litters are expected.
Micrortion is in Graph 6, Figure 3.

On those islands as Hawaii and Oahu, further, on their beaches as Kamilo Point and Kahuku
Beach, the hard micro plastic fragments occupied over 80 % of the whole micro plastics.
Also, in Oregon, where Styrofoam debris took 30 % of the whole drifted objects throughOcean Driftage Investigation, even in the micro plastic category, Styrofoam debris took
more than 20 %. Resin pellets found in these beaches accounted over 5 %.

6(Or) Chinook winds beach(Ma) Waiehu Beach(Oa) Kahuku Beach(Ha) Kamilo Point
Midway Atoll 2011
0

200

400

600

Driftage Density

800

1000

Number/m

Hard Plastics

Plastic Sheets, Bags

Bottle Caps

Styrofoams Large

Food Vessels, Wrappings

Cigarettes, Filters

Ropes, Strings

Paper

Plaastic Bags

Straws, Stirrers

Oyster Pipes

Urethane Foams

Worst 10 /Others

OthersFigure 5

1200

The density of the drifted objects(Or) Chinook winds beach st.2(Or) Chinook winds beach st.1
(Oa) kahuku beach st.2(Oa) Kahuku beach st.1
(Ha) Kamilo point
Midway Atoll 2011
0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Proportion
Hard Plastics

Styrofoams

Fishing Lines

Ropes

Urethane Foams

Burnt Plastics

Other Plastics

Resin Pellets

Other Plastic Products

Figure 6 Proportion of Micro Plastics (over 0.5m )7The Driftage Density of Micro Plastic Fragments (over 5.0 mm)(Or) Chinook winds beach st.2(Or) Chinook winds beach st.1
(Oa) kahuku beach st.2(Oa) Kahuku beach st.1
(Ha) Kamilo point
Midway Atoll 2011
0

20000

40000

Density of Driftage

60000

80000

100000

number/m

Hard Plastics

Styrofoams

Fishing Lines

Ropes

Urethane Foams

Burnt Plastics

Other Plastics

Resin Pellets

Other Plastic Products

8

The driftage density is shown in Figure 7 of the micro plastic fragments larger than
0.5 mm. The highest density was shown in Kamilo Point, Hawaii where the density showedas high as 800000 /m2 .
According to Fujieda (2011) the average density of the micro plastic fragments in the
Seto Inland Sea, Japan, indicated 45, 833/m2 for Styrofoam litters, 892/m2 for hard plastic
debris, and 211/m2 for resin pellets.
When compared with these at Kamilo Beach, Hawaii Island, Styrofoam debris indicated very
low density as 1,094 / m2 , 1/40 of the average, whereas the hard plastics were more than
50 times (52, 019/ m2 ) and 20 times for resin pellets (4,644/ m2 ). This indicates evenat remote areas from the plastic litter source, at Kamilo Beach, Hawaii Islands, micro
plastic fragments and resin pellets are found. Thus, these beaches have different problems
from those of the inner beaches close to the region with dense population.
Figure 8 also indicates the size breakdown of the hard plastics collected at Kamilo Point,
Hawaii Island. The hard plastics occupies 23% of the whole, which indicates there might
as well exist those under 0.5 mm.
Because of the above, in the North Pacific, the decayed-then-fragmentized plastics arefound after a considerable floating on the current to Hawaii Islands and West coast of
the United States. So will the plastics washed away due to the Tsunami along with thelong term floating be smaller particles.

4.0-8.0mm
12%8.0-16.0mm
1%2.84.0mm
15%

16.0mm1%

0.5-1.0mm
23%2.0-2.8mm
18%
1.4-2.0mm
20%1.0-1.4mm
10%Figure 8 Size Differences of Hard Plastics at Kamilo Point9-3 4 Marine Debris Treatment Investigation-3 4 1 Hawaii Beaches
At Hawaii Beaches, three beaches of the three different islands were investigated of theirdriftage at the shore, looked into their site details so that the practical and smoothcollection of debris and would be possible.

Kahuku Beach (Oahu Island)
Kahuku Beachh is conveniently located as it is only 15 min. drive from Turtle Bay Condos,
our base, and is 90 min. from the Honolulu City. There is a grass filed for parking, justalong from the gate of the James Campbell National Wild Reservation to the beach, whichsurely enables the team of volunteers to work on debris collection . However, the bathroom
is in distance as 3km away, in the office of the Reservation, which is the only one around.
Plus, the investigators may have to prepare their own waters for drinking. Since thebeach itself is relatively large, the collected debris may need some people to get it
transported. Some shallow shores had a lot of micro plastics captured. A small cottage
is next to the reservation office and an open space, initial briefing for the collection
can be done here, then drive to the gate, and start exploring the beach.
Kamiro point (Hawaii Island)
Kamiro Point is about 4 hours and 20 minutes away by driving from Hiro Hawaiian Hotel,
the team base. Because of the time for commuting, the team may be limited to work only
for a few hours though keeping an early start. The bathroom is only located at the nearest
park by the highway which is still one hour distance, coupled with a bumpy drive if thevolunteers go to beach for collection. The investigators have to have a 4WD vehicle anda truck to the collection site. Plus, temporary restrooms should be installed.
Also, drinking water should be secured. Considering this beach circumstances, only lessthan 100 people can work for collection. Moreover, some large sized fishing nets were
drifted along with a lot of plastic debris. Worse enough, the car rental company did notallow its cars to pass these bad roads. The collected litter is taken to the dump store,
where the local citizens bring in their house garbage since the garbage collection system
has not yet been established. Then the litter is sort out, stored, and transported to
Oahu Island in the containers for disposals.

Waiehu Beach (Maui Island)
Waiehu Beach is 10 minutes away from the base, The Maui Beach Hotel, but only 6-7 cars
are available to park. Hence, to secure the parking space is necessary in a large team
activity. Also, temporary bathrooms should be installed for a long time practice of10

collection. The beach is relatively narrow and long where a lot of wood and fishing nets
are adrift. Plus, probably because of the golf yard nearby, many golf balls were found.
Findings of Hawaii Coasts
Foreign volunteer staff can work on the pre-ground contacts with the local community
leaders and the ICC coordinators and other interest groups are very active and well tied
throughout the islands.
However, regarding Kamilo Point, Hawaii Island, where the largest driftage was found,the beach accessibility is a little problematic. For the visiting staff, it will be alittle difficult to fully work.
In order for sending Japanese volunteer staff in response to the Japan origin debris ,before the need arises, securing the manpower who coordinates those with a high commandof Japanese language and understanding of the culture is necessary. Also a certain amountof funds may require for the payment of the salaries, the travels costs, and for thetransportation. At the same time, money for the pre-ground operational work done by ICC
coordinators and related groups should be secured.
From the investigation, though a lot of drifted objects were found, not yet to judge themas the disaster debris. Also, it is important the general marine litter issues are thebasis of this disaster marine debris problem. Considering this, JapanUS NGOs should

work collaboratively on 1) the debris collections conducted when the semi annual ICC isheld in September, and 2) keeping the local volunteer workers registered in case for thelarge driftage to occur.

-3 4 2 Oregon Beaches

spring and fall, dividing the whole state beaches into 14 zones.
The Oregon beaches expand to the south and north along with Oregon Coast Highway on the
coastlines. There are nearby residential areas and it is very easy to commute the beach.
The river oriented drifted debris, such as large trees, can be found on these sandy beaches.
Particularly at this investigation, not much driftage was found other than some micro
plastic particles. At the bordering backside areas of the beaches, still not much driftage,debris, was identified which indicates very few objects are drifted on the daily basis.

Chinook Winds Beach (Lincoln City)
Chinook Winds Beach iswith Chinook Winds Resort

Hotel as its landmark in the center of the lengthy beach. In front of the hotel, the beach11

hotel is neighboring the parking lot, restaurants, and the shopping center.
From the Portland Airport, the shuttle bus drives to the hotel, with the reservation needed,
for about 120 miles taking two hours and a half. The access to the beach is secured thougha bit far from the airport.
Plus, the beach is neighboring the hotel and Japanese volunteers may feel it easy togo for debris collection. The beach is of singing sand that is not so steep. Thus, when
the tide is low, the 100m sand beach reveals, and the highest tide may cover whole thebeach. Debris collection may be disturbed when the tide is highest, moreover, some
re-driftage back to the ocean could take place. As its severe winter brings a lot of windy
rain than sunshine, the debris treatment may require a lot of hard work.
There are some other hotels available and the rate becomes rather expensive in the summer
as more guests are expected. This beacon the OREGON BEACH CLEAN UP Web site. The debris taken from this zone is transported
to North Lincoln Sanitary Service for disposals, located at the south Devils Lake. The
debris from this investigation was, too, taken there for disposals.

Gleneden Beach Lincoln Beach
Gleneden Beach is located at the center of 9km sandy beach, lying from the south of Siletz
Bay to Lincoln Beach and is 20 minutes drive from the Chinook Winds Resort Hotel. Parking
space is available approximately for 10 cars. The beach is very close to the parking
lot. There was a relatively more debris. The sandy beach is higher than the sea level,
and even in high tide, the beach would not be fully covered, and re-driftage does notoften take place.
on the SOLVE OREGON CLEANUP website,whose litters are taken to North Lincoln Sanitary Service for disposals.

Nye Beach Newport
Nye Beach is a 6.5 km beach, lying the north of Newport Port. The beach is less steep
as is Chinook Winds Beach, and reveals itself at the lowest tide. It is located at thesouth of the Chinook Winds Resort Hotel, about 45 minutes of driving on the Oregon Coast
Highway as far as 45 km from the hotel. Parking space is available and surrounding are
the residential areas or summer houses expecting a lot of beach goers.
This beach is regisatOverview of Oregon Debris Management

12

To Oregon state, 5 direct flights per week are available from Narita International Airport.
Also, flights are available via Seattle, Vancouver, Hawaii, and San Francisco. All ofthem, however, may require early reservation, which makes it not so suitable for the
emergency trip for the Japanese debris team.
SOLVE, the main ICC coordinator in Oregon, hosting Oregon Beach Cleanup, is well connectedwith each of the municipal organizations. One of the major recreational activities ofdebrisdrifted. This is an acknowledged activity from the whole states, and the state wideawareness to the debris is relatively high.

Also, preparing for the huge future driftage, the training of emergency cleanup is
tailored; by e-mail, phone, fax or SNS are used to gather as many volunteer staff in alimited time to respond to the debris. They are very well prepared and available forthe prospective large driftage.
Once the large driftage hits, SOLVE has to focus on the first response to it, it is difficult
to ask them for the arrangement to accommodate Japanese volunteers. Rather, it may berealistic for the Japanese volunteers to participate in the semi annual events, Oregon
Beach Cleanup, may be the better solution.

-4

Meeting with the NGOs and other representatives-4-1. NGO meeting at Hawaii Investigation
In Hawaii investigation, ICC coordinators from each island and the Japanese delegation
had a meeting, also with the NGO/NPO related staffs, NOAA, and Hawaii State government
officials. The content was as follows:
In Hawaii, the environmental hazard response is well formed among the relatedorganizations, though the financial resource may need to secure.
From the Japanese participants, ideas were proposed for the under water debris
monitoring. We would like to forward this idea so that it would make possible to workwith the underwater conservancy run by divers.
Also, collecting and sharing the debris information and data should be advanced inorder for more accurate calculation. NOAA has been conducting under water monitoringfor 14 years at some areas.
In Hawaii, some cases are reported that people hurt themselves while snorkeling. Also
the damage of the coral leafs, and invasive foreign species are the current

13environmental issues to concern.
To prepare for the treatment of memorable items when adrift. Now that the collectingof information is getting ready for the prospective driftage.
As for now, the focus should be on how to manage the information flow to whoeverconcerned; Japan US NGOs, government organizations, local community, and general
citizens, because this becomes the strongest and necessary counteract against thedebris problems. The participants agreed that they proceed on strengthening thecommunication basis among all.
It is necessary to give primacy on the things on the working list; which beach shouldbe the first to clean up or so. This will enable us the most efficient way of utilizing
the limited resources, both human and financial.
OthersAfter the US- Japan NGO meeting, Hawaii ICC coordinators had a suggestion from the
NOAA representative, as to implement the web cam beach debris monitoring system madeby a team of Japanese researchers. Responding to it, OWS has started to seek for thesponsors for this project with JEAN.

-4-2. Oregon meeting and workshops at the investigation
During the investigation at Oregon, the delegation had a meeting with the local Japaneserelated groups and community organizers as well as holding the special workshop with them.
In Oregon, there is a long history of beach maintenance with the local NGOs. Plus theclose relation ship among the Japan related organizations has already been established.
In Oregon, 5 beach rangers periodically watch the beach at PARKS AND RESEARCH DEPARTMENT,and litter collection, and sorting out of the data are also conducted. The informationis share with SOLVE.
Among the state of Washington, Oregon, and California, the governors already set up an
alliance in order for them to actively involved in marine debris management cooperatingwith the environmental NGOs under state-wide collaborative plans.

Not only against
the debris impacts, but also toward the rebuilding of Japanese disaster struck areas,
we very much(workshop comments)

14

Inter Japan Efforts for Awareness Raising
Two forums were held in Sendai and Tokyo to officially report the outcomes of theinvestigations and related activities. They were held for the Japanese NGOs , the privateorganizations and other groups involved in marine environment conservation, including
the debris management, in the hope that the outcomes will be fully taken advantage by
these attendees.

-1. Domestic Conference; Tokyo Forum
The details of Tokyo Forum are as follows;(1) Time, Date and Venue
Time & Date :13:30-16:30, Friday, March 15, 2013
Venue: #2 TKP Star Conference Room,
1-8-6 Horinaka Building, Yotsuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo(2) Title and Hosts:
Title

Debris and its Management with Overviews on
Ocean Litters

HostedbyOperated by

Japan - US NGO Joint Investigation Review

Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan
JEAN, General Incorporated Association

In Cooperation with

Sasagawa Peace Foundation, Ocean Conservancy(3) Contents
13:00 Registration
13:30 Opening by Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency,
Independent Administrative Institutions
13:35

About the Forum by JEAN

13:40

On site investigation and the outcome
1 Overview of Investigation Resultsby Shigeru Fujieda, Professor, Kagoshima University
2 Further Findings from Hawaii Investigation
by Kosaku Yokoyama, Chair, OWS
3 Further Findings from Oregon Investigation,
by Rika Yamamoto, Emergency Response Manager,
Peace Wind Japan

14:15 Commentaries from ICC Coordinators and other representatives
1. From Hawaii by Chris Woolaway
2. From Oregon by Briana Goodwin
3. From Alaska by Patrick Chandler and Christopher Pallister
15:00 Intermission; DVD showing; On site investigation video
15:15 General Ocean Debris Issues by JEAN

15:35 Additional Commentaries by Nicholas Mallos, Ocean Conservancy
15:45 Questions and Answers
16:30 Closing by JEAN
conference dismissed 10 min. later than scheduled.
(4)Other
Poster session was in the lobby regarding the on site investigation andgeneral marine debris problems(5)Participants
In total, 65 people attended. The groups and organizations, besides
individual participants, that attended were as follows (except the press,in the order of registration);
The Sasagawa Peace Foundation
Pasco Co.,Ltd.
Castle International Co., Ltd
Toyo Construction Co.,Ltd.
Mitsui & Co.,Ltd.
Japan Sea born Art Association
Tokyu Agency Inc.
Ocean Family Marine Nature Experience Center, NPO
The Ocean Wildlife Society, NPO
KIDS NOW, NPO
International Institute of environment Japan(IIEJ)
Amway Japan LLC.
Peace Winds Japan
Tottori University of Environmental Studies
Umimori Jimukyoku
World Oceans Day Japan(WODL), NPO
Eco Publishing Ltd.
Lake BlueThe Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers
Asahi Advertising Inc.
Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. Ltd.
Northwest Pacific Action Plan(NOWPAP) Regional Coordinating Unit(RCU)
Okinawa Ocean Culture & Environment Action Network
Japan NUS Co.,Ltd.
OSEAN
Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry of Environment
The Chief Cabinet Marine Policy Head Quarters
Gulf of Alaska Keeper Japan Office
Bio Island Network

1Earth Works Society
Center for Research and Promotion of Japan Islands
Kanagawa Prefectural Fisheries Technology Center-2. Domestic Conference; Sendai Forum
The details of Sendai Forum are as follows;(1)Time, Date, and Venue
Time & Date :14:00-17:00, Sunday, March 17* AM: US NGO delegation visited Tsunami hit areas

Venue: 6th Floor Gallery, El Park Sendai
141 Building, 4-11-1 Ichibancho, Sendai, Aobaku, Miyagi(2) Title and Hosts:
Title

Debris and its Management with Overviews
on Ocean Litters

Japan - US NGO Joint Investigation Review

Hosted byEnvironmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan

Operated by

JEAN, General Incorporated Association

Supported by

Ministry of Environment

In Cooperation with ; Sasagawa Peace Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, KIDS NOW(3)Contents
13:30 Registration Starts
14:05 Opening
by Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency,
Independent Administrative Institutions
14:05 About the Forum by JEAN
14:10 On site investigation and the outcome
1 Overview of Investigation Resultsby Shigeru Fujieda, Professor, Kagoshima University
2 Further Findings from Hawaii Investigation
by Kzaumichi Sato, Chair, NPO Partnership Office
3 Further Findings from Oregon Investigation
by Tetsuhiro Nagayama, Chair, KIDS NOW
14:45

Commentaries from ICC Coordinators and other representatives
1

From Hawaii by Chris Woolaway

2

From Oregon by Briana Goodwin

3

From Alaska by Patrick Chandler and Christopher Pallister

15:30 Intermission; DVD showing; On site investigation video
15:45 General Ocean Debris Issues by JEAN

2

16:05 Additional Commentaries by Nicholas Mallos, Ocean Conservancy
16:15 Questions and Answers; Opening speech Mr. Ito, Cleanup Gamo,
17:00 Closing by JEAN
conference dismissed 15 min. later than scheduled.
(4)Other
Poster session was in the lobby regarding the on site investigation andgeneral marine debris problems(5)Participants
In total, 158 people attended. The groups and organizations, besides
individual participants,that attended were as follows (except the press,in the order of registration);
Michinoku Sonpo Club
East Japan Earth Quake Hit Are Creation Center, NPO
Aomori Sanpchi Fishery Arrangement Head Office
Aomori Prefectural Agricultural Bureau Fishery Division
Mutsu City
Sanyo Girls' Junior High School
Sendai Environmental Web Site Tamakisan Headquarter
Kesennuma Rebuilding Association
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. Tohoku Branch
Rokugo Shichigo Cominet Head Office
Funbaro Higasshi Nihon Project
Sendai City Fire Department
Miyagi Counter Disaster Volunteer Center
Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry of Environment
Honorary Consulate-General of the Republic of Fiji
Clean up Gamou
ALPS Electric Co.,Ltd.
Fujitsu Ltd.

3

-3Japan Forum Meeting Minutes

The following comments were collected at the two inter Japan forums at Tokyo and Sendai.
Additions to the investigation results from the delegation.
The investigation brought about the opportunities for both parties to share theinformation and exchange ideas.
Debris problems had existed long before the disaster, and the seriousness of the matterhas been recognized deeply.
Some people in the disaster stricken area are blaming themselves too much for the Tsunami
debris problems. However, not so many US citizen feel that way. Rather, such debris
could naturally flew from the neighbors in the North Pacific. These comments may as
well be delivered to Japanese citizens.
Not only the disaster North American debris management at the west coasts, also, thesefindings should well be known among Japanese people as the issue itself is would not
get dried for discussion.

About Alaska
In the state of Alaska, the coastlines are longer than those of other states,and only few roads have been ready to the shores. The official state road runs only
half of the other states in number.
The cleanup activities are grouped into two; one is nearby the residential areas, while
the remote clean up requires the helicopters and boats to travel afar for the activity.
Alaskan debris problems, remote cleanup is taking an important part, but theit requires
financial back up and has security problems.
For 7 years, by the helicopter shots, the debris data has been collected. However, forthe disaster debris, not yet state budget yet has been allotted particularly to thedisaster debris.
Styrofoam are of high impacts as the amount is large that prevents smooth transportationand disposals.
The population of the State of Alaska is facilitated with the disposal site only enoughto serve 720,000 people.
SeattlFor the large amount of drifted litters, they are taken tois limited.

4The state of Alaska is grateful that many people in Japan are concerned with the disasterdebris from Japan. The people understand what happened to people at the Great East
Japan Earthquakes.
The driftage increased as much as 80 to 100 times compared to before the earthquake.
As the Styrofoam fragments are found in the rivers where the wild salmons inhabit andthe swamps in the state, the concern for environmental destruction increased.
The collected large sea farming buoys were given to oyster farms on Prince Williams
Island for recycling.
Alaskan State Government has not yet allotted budget for the debris management. The
activities so far have been supported by the federal government. The pollution
consolatory money from Japan may be the largest amount.
The voices about disaster debris have given impacts to Alaskan citizens as to raise
the awareness on the other end.
The broadcasted news about the marine debris from disaster also moved Japanese
government.

From the US NGO Staff Members
Regarding the disaster marine debris issue, taken up by JEAN , and their visits to the
U.S. have given a start of taking counteraction against the debris problems by the US
government.
Same has happened to NOAA and Hawaii State government. That has made then strive forthe problem.
In the State of Oregon, the beaches are well maintained because of the constant cleanups
by the volunteers. However, some remote beaches are not, with a lot of driftage.
At present, 15 workshops haveend of this series of workshops, all the Oregon areas will have been covered and be
ready for the marine debris management. After the disaster of Japan, the volunteer
workers increased in number.
The highest number of disaster marine debris have been adrift to the sate of Alaska.
What we have been collecting is in a form of broken objects, but truly these are thepieces of their daily life, the tragic memories, andWe would like to let the people in my country know much about this.

5s whole life.

Visiting Japan enabled me to view the problem as a whole, not only by my brain but at
my heart. Seeing the disaster stricken beaches, areas and meeting people there, were
all very precious moments for me.
I was so impressed at the effort of the people even though they have been through sucha big disaster.
Such conversation has brought us the ties across the wide ocean.
The disaster debris are only a part of whole sea litter pollution issue.
We might as well tackle the marine debris problem going through the hardships of the
Tsumani and earthquake.
We would appreciate the Japan effort for the pre and post disaster experience, in terms
of preparation and how to deal it afterwards. This should get known to everybody in
the U.S.
The governmental consolatory money for pollution has been used for the large debris
treatment such as removing of the drifted floating pier from Japan washed to Washington
State.

From Forum ParticipantsTlife-memory

is a very warm thought for us.

The ICC global net work enables
feeling, the working principles, and the feed back after the activities.
Marine debris problems are the issues reflecting our society, just down sized.
The marine debris is truly derived from humans. The suggestion lies in is that we needto look back our lifestyles.
We very much would like the international marine debris summit in the disaster area.

Returning of Drifted Objects

6

The treatment of the drifted objects should be more and more careful to identify thesource and the original owner.
In the Lions Club Oregon, the fund raising activities have started for the efforts toreturn these drifted objects. Probably, there is a room for cooperation with the Miyagi
local Lions Club.
In Japan, with the ties of JEAN, KIDS NOW and others, we would like to advance the project
for the returning of the memorial objects.

7

The future Projects
Disaster debris investigation breakdown is indicated in figure 4. Before February 2013,
some large debris from the Japan disaster have been identified. Also, some Styrofoam debris
and urethane foam items are now found adrift in these beaches, not like before. Other
than these, in Hawaii Coasts, analysis found that disaster origin debris have been giving
more influence on the other debris. Some objects had not been yet adrift to these particularbeaches, but now so conspicuous. Also, on the Hawaii Beaches, there found a lot influence
from pre disaster drifted plastics.
It is considered that because of Tsunami, not only the torn down houses, but from theother resources, the plastic debris traveled long way from Japan. The calculation showsthat those adrift at shores will continue floating some years on. Thus, more serious
environmental hazards are possible, furthermore, it might keep influencing thesurrounding environment.
Talking about the counteracts, the readiness for the upcoming driftage could set the
networking among the inter Japan interest groups. Throughout the year round efforts, thisenables the smooth flow of information about the disaster debris In the State of Hawaii,
where many of Japanese volunteer workers are expected, the coordinators are distributedon each island so that periodical cleanups have been conducted and disposal work flow
has been established.
In Oregon, Oregon Beach Cleanup is held state wide twice in a year, in spring and fall.
The networking has been well established among the municipal governments and local working
groups. From the emergency call (211) system acknowledgement and distribution of thebeach watch staff for the major upcoming driftage, to the emergency cleanup training anddampster (collection containers) installation, Oregon is able to implement many of thecounter driftage action plans.
However, the problems lies if Japanese staff wish to give a quick on site help; the overseas
traveling cost, time differences, and initial response for the emergency, plus the language
barriers. Furthermore, access is limited because the public transportation is notavailable to the beaches. As the Ministry of Environment submitted, the calculation of
the prospective path of huge disaster debris was revealed to reach Canadian West Coast.
Thus, once this major driftage is acknowledged, the local staff will be fully demanded
for the initial treatment of the drifted debris. In order for the acceptance of volunteer
staff from overseas for a long term, there required a full time coordinator for Japanesevolunteers very soon.
As for the future plans, the following states or regions might as well be subject forthe on site investigation as early as possible once the weather permits, say, after spring
this year. Because in these areas, the investigations were not able to conduct due tothe severe winter weather of January and February even though the driftage is identified;Alaska, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada.
If the constant driftage is expected, in order to reduce the application workload forthe local coordinators, the periodical openings of clean up activities should be informed
throughout the nation so that it may prevent the concentration of volunteers to one placethan the others. Also, for the issues to be kept aware of, collaborative cleanups between
the countries should be held on the same timely basis. Furthermore, the current ocean
debris problems may partially be because of the litters from Japan, not only just postdisaster debris.
The disaster marine debris from the Great East Japan Earthquake has multiplied in numberin the long floating and decaying. This again increases the distribution among the areas
so does the level and length of the influence of the problem. Hence, in Hawaii, the centerof the Pacific Rim, ICC cleanup and workshops by the NGOs and researchers should be held
so that this debris issue could be informed to the world.
This is the outcome from the US-Japan NGO collaboration, entrust establishment, anddiscussion for the debris impact management.

Figure 4 Disaster Debris Investigations Outcome
Hosting States1JapanHawaii

OregonLarge sized driftage is identified
Driftage

Small Japanese

Despite the driftage, theLeveldebris driftage isrelatively clean environment is

identified.

maintained.

Large amount ofplastic debris arefound adrift at
certain points of thebeachPreparation

Local coordination by SOLVE

Domestic

Each Island has own

Coordinator has

coordinators

Emergency hotline (211)appointed

Periodical Cleanup

establishment

is conducted

Beach Watch is deployed

Information

Training for emergency

gathering for thecleanups

hosting of

Spring and Fall clean ups arevolunteer staff

conducted.
Disposal flow confirmed

Distance(travel
Issues tofees, time

considerdifference, andOn site Coordinator is required.

emergency
procedure)
Language
Barrier
Access to the
Beach

FuturePlans

Collaborative

Open information for theSemi annual Oregon Bach Cleanups inCleanups

Inter island cleanups toSpring and Fallsummon the volunteer
workers

The whole marine debris consists of the both pre and post disaster debris andmeasures should be implemented on the basis of well round understating of thenature of marine environmental problems. A lot of the debris is yet adrift, andlong term management and planning are required for this marine litter issue.

references
Shigeru FUJIEDA, Micro Plastic Fragments in the Seto Inland Sea,2

24(1),57-65,2011,

Journal of Japan Association for Coastal Zone Studies
Shigeru FUJIEDA, Rifting and Grounding of Plastic Pipes used in Oyster Farming in the
Seto Inland Sea, 77(1),23-30,2011, Nippon Suisan Gakkai Magazine
The whole findings of this project were reviewed in the third committee meeting. Plus,thorough discussion was made regarding the networking expected among the NGOs. Refer tothe following comments:
The field reports will be created by JEAN and posted on the Website both in Japaneseand English. The details will be discussed further.
Sendai forum videos will be available for those wish to view. The film ought to beunder control of the hosting organization.
Regarding the tons of buoys collected in Alaksa, they shall be returned following
the discussion between the US-Japan NGO stuff members, in respect to the original
eir conditions, types, amount, as well as its transportation costs.
Costal Clean UP of US

Japan synchronized holding require the utilizing ofSkype or other communication methods. Probably the best to open is around ICC
September 13.
We shall not regard the sending of volunteer stuff for debris collecting asgiven the highest priority.
For the volunteers should work on their own budget. If too much debris
adrift, some technical research should be done.
For the Hawaii State, some volunteer tours can be considered setting the time
to coincide with the ICC holding period.
Info. Site for the debris should be once terminated at the end of March 13
while the MALIP information disclosure continues.
Further discussion may require for the future large debris adrift: how
to deal with it either inside or outside Japan including organized response
and assigning of the jobs among the stuff related.
Dealing of the drifted objects to the original owners- thought- to

be is amatter of discussion in respect to its job flow of returning, cost assurance, object
storage, and duration of the storage.

3

The mailing list should be utilized for the setting up of the meeting among the
NGO stuff members regardless how official they should be.
This project is now to finish, however, JEAN will become responsible for assigningwhich entities or organizations to take the initiatives to the tasks assigned.
For this purpose, meetings to shall hopefully be proposed by JEAN early next year.
As a last note, we would like to acknowledge and show our gratefulness to the related
people and organizations such as and Environmental Management Bureau, Ministry ofEnvironment. Also, we would like to thank Sasagawa Peace Foundation for their dedication
to invite those US NGO stuff and related people.
Mach, 2013
JEAN
General Incorporated Association
Project Operator

4