This is a call to arms, from us here at PMDP in collaboration with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant!
Around 3,500 years ago an intrepid metalsmith pulled iron ore and charcoal out of the fire and hammered out the first steel knife. And as it pertains to cutting derelict fishing nets, technology has basically stalled there ever since. Now is your chance to reach unflinching into that proverbial fire and pull from the crucible your own invention, a sharp-edged contrivance from your own imagination, a self-made slasher, snipper, or saw, a more modern and efficient cutting tool worthy of crowning you Hack-A-Thon Champion.
The ultimate showdown will transpire December 13, 2025 at the Waikiki Aquarium. Additional information on design requirements, event participation, and more coming shortly. Contact derek@pmdphawaii.org with questions or feedback in the meantime.
WHO WE ARE
WHO ARE WE
The Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP) is a non-profit organization created to protect the sensitive wildlife and critical habitats of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (Northwest Hawaiian Islands) from the threats of marine debris. We thrive on teaming with motivated and skilled people from all backgrounds to accomplish our mission. Visit our Instagram for photos and videos of our operations.
Papahānaumokuākea MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENT
Papahānaumokuākea MaRINE NATIONAL MONUMENT
Beyond the inhabited Main Hawaiian Islands, stretching to the northwest, is the PMNM, the largest protected conservation area in the U.S. It is home to over 7,000 marine species, a quarter of which are found only in the Hawaiian archipelago. Unfortunately, it also accumulates garbage from throughout the North Pacific. The stewardship of this unique place is a worthy application of the skills and knowledge you have developed as a student at UH.
CURRENT CUTTING DIFFICULTIES
Cutting difficulties
PMDPʻs focus is the removal of derelict fishing gear (DFG), comprised mainly of old fishing nets. The DFG is often large (over 1,000 pounds), tangled, crusted with fouling organisms, and difficult to cut for removal. A number of tools have been tried, but there is still considerable room for innovation and optimization.
Small serrated knives (Spyderco) are capable of cutting the derelict fishing gear, but are inefficient due to their size. Larger knives (bread knives) have worked well, but dull quickly. All knives also require tension in the material to be cut, which is not always a characteristic of a bundle of fishing nets swaying in the ocean. A tensioning tool could be incorporated into the cutting tool design to increase its efficacy.
Loppers or garden shears have also been used, but have many of the same problems as the knives. They require two hands to use, which makes keeping tension on the DFG even more difficult. Most commercially available handheld products are also too small for use on large nets.
Pneumatic, battery powered, or other power tools are of particular interest, but none of the tested products has yet proven adequate. Your creativity, design skills, and fabrication expertise are needed to solve this problem!