Filling lift bags on agglomeration of nets from image reef3038.

Coming back to the CASITAS and quickly unloading the inflatable boats during a squall. Like all small boat work in remote areas, you always know what the weather is like when you put the boats over, but don't know what it will be like when they are picked up.

Hauling derelict nets on to an inflatable boat for transport to the CASITAS.

An endangered monk seal inspects a derelict net that was ready for loading on an inflatable boat.

Lift bags attached to large agglomeration of derelict nets. Once the nets were initially lifted off the bottom, divers would cut the agglomeration of net material into smaller units easing the transport and lift problems.

Major amounts of derelict nets taxed the ability of divers and equipment to bring to the surface. Many ingenious solutions were arrived at.

Cutting large pile of derelict net material. This was a dangerous operations requiring another diver to watch and monitor to assure that no one became entangled.

Lift bags attached to large agglomeration of derelict nets. Once the nets were initially lifted off the bottom, divers would cut the agglomeration of net material into smaller units easing the transport and lift problems.

Ready to transport a "monster load" of derelict net material back to the CASITAS.

A derelict net strung across a nearly vertical reef wall. Net material was cut around protrusions of living corals to assure minimal disturbance to the living reef.

Scientist diver studying effects of derelict nets on coral reefs.

Cutting out heavy reef substrate material from derelict net prior to lifting onto inflatable boat for transport to CASITAS.

Derelict net prior to cutting out reef substrate material prior to loading on inflatable boat.

Derelict net debris after cutting apart and floating free portion to surface.

Scuba diver cutting derelict net material free prior to floating free portion to surface. Diver in 20 feet of water.

Cardinal fish living at edge of net debris. Moray eels lived deep in net agglomeration and often were carried to surface posing hazard to individuals transporting net material as some were bitten.

Damsel fish living at edge of net debris. Moray eels lived deep in net agglomeration and often were carried to surface posing hazard to individuals transporting net material as some were bitten.

Monk seal cruising around a net debris pile on the bottom looking for a meal from fish living on the edge of the pile.

Monk seal hunting on edge of net debris pile.

Snorkeler inspecting net debris entangled on coral rock outcrop. Diver is in lower left corner.

Inflatable boat waiting for retrieval by contract vessel CASITAS on a squally day.

A rainy squally day stops work early.

Divers engaged in cutting net debris for floating to surface and transporting back to contract vessel CASITAS.

Monk seal and ulua fish looking for a meal on the outskirts of a net debris pile.

Human debris covers the sands of Pearl and Hermes Atoll. This area is one of the most isolated areas of the North Pacific Ocean, yet currents carry this debris from throughout the oceanic basin.

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching

Coral bleaching