Tsunami-generated marine debris threatens Kodiak with marine invasives

Marine debris discovered  December 2011 in Chiniak, AK
thought to be from the Japan Tsunami. ITN photo.

Marine debris from the Japan tsunami of March 11, 2011 has been reported to be washing up on Kodiak's shores by several sources in Kodiak according to this KMXT article.  The  reports indicate that large floats from commercial oyster farms are the most common discovery here.  NOAA recently acknowledged that their initial estimates of marine debris arrival to Alaska sometime in 2013 underestimated the ability of large, lightweight items with high windage profiles (or sail area) to be effectively blown across the sea. NOAA has set up this page on their website focused on the Japan tsunami marine debris with updated information.

Additionally, floats from Oyster farms may be a vector for introducing a new invasive species to Kodiak, didemnum vexillum, or rock vomit.  This species was first discovered in Alaska in 2010 in Sitka's Whiting harbor, has destroyed a subsistence herring fishery there and poses similar significant threats to Kodiak's fisheries resources and the habitats that sustain them.  read more. The species is native to Japan and routinely fouls aquatic farm gear such as the oyster floats believed to be washing up on Kodiak.   

Didemnum vexillum, or rock vomit.  NOAA photo.

In response, Island Trails Network has established a weekly monitoring program of five sites along the Kodiak road system to identify marine debris that may have been generated by the tsunami..  This is part of statewide effort coordinated by the MCA Foundation. Identical monitoring sites have been established at Sitka, Craig, and Yakutat Alaska.  


We are in the process of selecting shoreline areas along the Kodiak island road system for weekly standing-stock surveys of marine debris and will be conducting weekly site visits beginning the week of January 16th.  However, these sampling sites will not cover the entire shoreline and may overlook potentially harmful deposits of marine debris. 


If you see any marine debris along the road system that you believe to be related to the Japan tsunami or any marine debris carrying rock vomit, please email a photograph to info@islandtrails.org.  Please include with the photo the date and location of the discovery, and how we may contact you.