Marine Institute seeks to reduce vessel groundings on Maui
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Citing 15 incidents since 2023, the Marine Institute at the Maui Ocean Center is trying to reduce the number of vessel groundings on Maui.
According to the Marine Institute, the groundings are causing significant damage to Maui's nearshore coral reefs. In response, the Marine Institute has launched a new survey and community initiative aimed at reducing grounding incidents and strengthening reef protection systems across Maui.
"A single grounding can destroy centuries of coral growth in one moment," said Dustin Paradis,
executive director of the Marine Institute. "With our reefs supporting over 25% of all marine life, we cannot afford to wait for the next incident."
The initiative is supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The effort is designed to bridge community knowledge with management action.
In collaboration with the Division of Aquatic Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, NFWF and NOAA, the Marine Institute said it will develop a coordinated framework to improve rapid assessment, response, mitigation and long-term prevention of reef damage.
Key components of the project include gathering perspectives from Maui's stakeholders to better understand contributing factors and identify practical prevention strategies.
The group is also calling for stakeholder planning sessions and a 24-hour reporting hotline for vessel groundings to support faster response and coordination.
"Our goal is to reach over 5,000 individuals to ensure this framework reflects the diverse voices of Maui," said Larissa Treese, director of operations at the Maui Ocean Center's Marine Institute. "Whether you're a commercial operator, recreational ocean user or concerned resident, your input will directly inform this plan."
The Vessel Grounding Stakeholder Survey is available at tinyurl.com/yc8f43b7.