i n s t a l l a t i o n s : o f s e a & s k y : t r a v e r g a l l e r y
All the little things: Portrait of an Ocean, 2017.
Save for derelict fishing gear, the bulk of marine debris that washes ashore the small, remote islands and islets of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument are commonly used items, like ‘disposable’ lighters. With the nearest civilization thousands of miles away, we all unwittingly contribute to the problem of marine debris.
A 2016 study projects that in just over 30 years (by 2050) the World’s oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight. Healthy marine ecosystems are vital to all life on earth not only because the world’s oceans are a rich natural resource but because they also produce more than 50% of the oxygen that we breathe and regulate the climate. By changing the way that we consume we can generate positive change on marine ecosystems and preserve the remaining integrity of our Oceans.
Save for derelict fishing gear, the bulk of marine debris that washes ashore the small, remote islands and islets of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument are commonly used items, like ‘disposable’ lighters. With the nearest civilization thousands of miles away, we all unwittingly contribute to the problem of marine debris.
A 2016 study projects that in just over 30 years (by 2050) the World’s oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight. Healthy marine ecosystems are vital to all life on earth not only because the world’s oceans are a rich natural resource but because they also produce more than 50% of the oxygen that we breathe and regulate the climate. By changing the way that we consume we can generate positive change on marine ecosystems and preserve the remaining integrity of our Oceans.
Dimensions: 9’x9’ : Marine debris and metal armature. - These disposable lighters were collected for this project from the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument by Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program by field biologists during the 2017 field season (~4 months). Many thanks to:
French Frigate Shoals:
Shawn Farry
Sean Guerin
Josh Carpenter
Allie Northey
Laysan Island:
Hope Ronco
Helena Dodge
Kristen Tovar
Lisianski Island:
Keelan Barcina
Brittany Dolan
Pearl and Hermes Atoll:
Darren Roberts
Megan Roberts
Alix Gibson
Caroline Cummings
Kure Atoll:
Ilana Nimz
David Golden
Metal Fabrication: Zak Hinderyckx.
Bycatch
Takuyu light bulbs collected from Pearl and Hermes Atoll and Lisianski Island in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It is very common to find 500 WATT red light bulbs (used in the squid fishing industry) floating in the open water or littered on the islands of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Derelict fishing gear is a prolific source of the marine debris overwhelming ocean ecosystems, yet commercial fisheries are not held accountable for the devastating effects that the industry has on the marine environment.
Dimensions: Variable
Takuyo Light Bulbs, Bronze, Steel, Line.- Many thanks to field biologists Keelan Barcina, Brittany Dolan, Laney White and Sadie Youngstrom - Metal Fabrication: Zak Hinderyckx.
Shelter
Each year the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program deploys 5 field camps to the remote islands and atolls of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. With no existing infrastructure or re-supply, all of the things that biologists need to both live and work in the field for ~4-5 months, including shelter, is both packed in and packed out.
Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program remote field camp wall tent. Audio/Video. Marine debris.
Three short films depict life within the Monument and the work of Hawaiian monk seal field biologists. - Audio and video collected within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument at Pearl and Hermes atoll and French Frigate Shoals under permit numbers PMNM-2016-011 and NMFS 16632-01. - Video compiled by Scott Morrision.