Alaska - Marine Debris Project

The Prince William Sound (PWS) Hope Spot, the only Hope Spot in Alaska, is bordered to the south by Montague Island. This large island separates the Gulf of Alaska from the PWS and is home to a wide range of wildlife, both on land and in the surrounding waters. It is very rugged terrain and the team lives on  vessels on the PWS side, but work on the other side of the island that is most affected, employing the use of a helicopter to transport the team and supplies each day. 

However, it receives a tremendous amount of marine debris, mainly abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) from as far as Asia. Discover70 Foundation participates in an annual project during the Summer that is led by the Gulf of Alaska Keeper, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies and the Prince William Sound Stewardship Foundation with other motivated partners. 

During the week of June 12-19, 2026, the Foundation assisted in the removal of approximately 45,000 pounds of marine debris from the beach.