Kiera Jefferson
Fishing nets are a major source of ocean plastic pollution, threatening marine life and ecosystems. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, known as ghost gear or ghost nets, continues to entangle and kill marine animals, including turtles, dolphins, and birds. It is estimated that ghost gear makes up 10% of ocean plastic pollution and forms the majority of large plastic litter in the waters. The issue of ghost nets has been known for years, but effective international control and action are lacking. Organizations like Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd, and WWF are working to address this issue through campaigns, collaborations, and innovative solutions. To curb the inflow of fishing gear pollution, strong policies, market shifts, and consumer awareness are necessary.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of ocean plastic pollution made up of fishing nets | 10% |
| Amount of nets, lines, pots and traps used in commercial fishing dumped in the sea annually | 640,000 tonnes |
| Percentage of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch made up of fishing nets | 75% |
| Amount of ghost nets retrieved by Sea Shepherd's Operation Milagro in the Sea of Cortez | 180km |
| Amount of marine debris cleared by Sea Shepherd UK from a nesting beach in Cabo Verde | 4 tons |
| Amount of plastic collected by Enaleia | 770 tons |
| Amount of plastic Enaleia expects to collect annually by 2024 | 1,000 tons |
| Percentage of waste collected by Enaleia in Greece that was made up of fishing nets | 16% |
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What You'll Learn
- Ghost nets kill marine animals like turtles, dolphins, and fish
- Ghost gear makes up 10% of ocean plastic pollution
- Governments and organisations are working to remove ghost gear
- Nets are made from non-decomposable nylon, which is cheaper and stronger
- Rivers are the largest source of ocean plastic pollution
Ghost nets kill marine animals like turtles, dolphins, and fish
Ghost nets, or abandoned fishing nets, are a major source of ocean plastic pollution, contributing to the larger problem of ghost gear—unmanaged fishing equipment. Ghost nets are deadly to marine life, including turtles, dolphins, and fish, through a process called ghost fishing.
Ghost nets kill turtles, a vulnerable species, by entangling them and obstructing their movement. They can also cause ingestion of hooks and nets, leading to gastrointestinal tract perforation, sepsis, and starvation. Sea turtles, in particular, face the risk of entanglement in their key habitats, including nesting beaches and coral reefs.
Dolphins, like other marine mammals, can become trapped in ghost nets, suffering life-threatening injuries, exhaustion, and starvation. They are also susceptible to ingesting hooks and nets, resulting in internal damage and infection.
Ghost nets also entangle and kill fish, including bony fish, by trapping them and causing starvation or predation. Additionally, ghost nets contribute to the destruction of their habitats, such as coral reefs, further endangering their survival.
The impact of ghost nets on these marine animals underscores the urgency of addressing ocean plastic pollution and regulating the fishing industry to protect marine life and ecosystems.
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Ghost gear makes up 10% of ocean plastic pollution
Ghost gear, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, makes up 10% of ocean plastic pollution. It is the deadliest form of marine plastic, threatening 66% of marine animals, including all sea turtle species and 50% of seabirds. It is often lost due to entanglement on reefs, rocks, and other obstructions, conflicts with vessels, bad weather, or extended soak times. Intentional discarding, including from illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, also contributes to the problem.
Ghost gear includes nets, lines, ropes, pots, and traps used in commercial fishing. More than 640,000 tonnes of ghost gear are dumped in the sea every year, endangering marine life through entanglement and suffocation. For example, approximately 300 sea turtles were found dead off the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, due to entanglement in ghost gear.
Ghost gear is particularly prevalent in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of plastic accumulation in the north Pacific. It is estimated that 46% of the plastic in this patch is made up of fishing nets, some as large as football fields. A recent study found that 86% of the 42,000 tonnes of megaplastics in the patch were fishing nets.
To address the problem of ghost gear, some organizations are working to remove it from the oceans. For example, Sea Shepherd has conducted several operations to retrieve ghost nets from the Sea of Cortez, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Southern Ocean. Other organizations, such as Enaleia, are working to prevent ghost gear from entering the oceans in the first place by training fishing communities to fish plastic from the sea and recycle their used fishing equipment.
It is clear that ghost gear is a significant contributor to ocean plastic pollution, and efforts are being made to reduce its impact on marine life and ecosystems.
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Governments and organisations are working to remove ghost gear
Fishing nets and other gear that are lost, abandoned, or discarded at sea—also known as "ghost gear"—pose a significant threat to marine life and the environment. This equipment can entangle or suffocate marine animals, damage valuable habitats, and persist in the ocean for decades, breaking down into microplastics that can harm marine organisms and ecosystems.
Recognising the urgency of this issue, governments and organisations are actively working to address and mitigate the impacts of ghost gear. One notable initiative is the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), launched in 2015. GGGI is a collaborative effort involving governments, private sector corporations, the fishing industry, non-governmental organisations, and academia from over 40 countries. This alliance, which includes the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the US government, aims to tackle the problem of lost and abandoned fishing gear through various measures.
The GGGI promotes best practices and develops solutions for ghost gear management. They have published guidelines to support fisheries and stakeholders in implementing preventative measures and reducing the impact of lost gear. This includes gear modification, such as adding escape hatches and biodegradable panels to pots and traps, as well as using weakened ropes to allow whales to break free more easily. They also encourage innovative designs and the development of biodegradable fishing gear to facilitate recycling within the industry.
In addition to the GGGI, other organisations are making significant contributions to removing ghost gear. Sea Shepherd, a non-profit organisation, has conducted multiple operations to retrieve ghost nets from various regions, including the Southern Ocean, the Sea of Cortez, the Mediterranean Sea, and coastal areas. They actively work to stop illegal fishing operations and remove their abandoned gear. Enaleia, another non-profit, has been working in Greece and is expanding its activities to Egypt, Spain, Kenya, and Italy. They train fishing communities to collect plastic from the sea and provide them with incentives, ensuring that the collected plastic is recycled into new products.
These efforts by governments and organisations demonstrate a commitment to addressing the issue of ghost gear in our oceans. By collaborating across sectors and implementing innovative solutions, they aim to reduce the devastating impacts of ghost gear on marine life and ecosystems.
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Nets are made from non-decomposable nylon, which is cheaper and stronger
Fishing nets are a major source of ocean plastic pollution, threatening marine life and disrupting ecosystems. The issue of ghost nets, or abandoned fishing gear, has been well-known for years, with efforts underway by organisations like Greenpeace, Sea Shepherd, and WWF to remove and address this problem.
Ghost nets are predominantly made of nylon, a material that is much stronger and cheaper than traditional rope. Nylon is a type of plastic that does not decompose, meaning that ghost nets can continue to entangle and kill marine life for decades. The durability of nylon fishing nets contributes to their deadly impact on marine ecosystems.
The use of nylon in fishing nets offers economic benefits to the fishing industry due to its low cost and durability. Nylon nets are more affordable and long-lasting compared to traditional rope nets, making them attractive to fishers. However, the environmental consequences of using non-decomposable nylon are severe and far-reaching.
Nylon fishing nets, when lost or discarded in the ocean, can remain intact for extended periods, continuing to trap and entangle marine animals. The strength and durability of nylon contribute to the persistence of ghost nets in marine environments, posing a constant threat to marine life and ecosystems.
The impact of ghost nets is widespread and devastating. They entangle and kill various marine creatures, including fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals, and marine birds. The nets also damage coral reefs and endanger ships by becoming entangled in their propellers. The non-decomposable nature of nylon exacerbates these issues, as the nets persist in the marine environment indefinitely.
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Rivers are the largest source of ocean plastic pollution
The plastic waste in rivers is an emerging environmental hazard, threatening aquatic life, ecosystems, and human health. It also causes severe economic losses through damage to vessels and fishing gear, negative effects on the tourism industry, and increased shoreline cleaning costs. To tackle this issue, it is crucial to focus on the largest emitting rivers, most of which are in Asia, with some in East Africa and the Caribbean.
One way to address the problem of plastic pollution in rivers is to implement strong policies and market shifts using existing technologies. By taking these measures, it is estimated that plastic pollution can be reduced by 80% by 2040. Additionally, better waste collection and management practices in the most polluted regions can help to stem the tide of plastic waste.
To further combat the issue of plastic pollution in oceans and rivers, some organizations are working to stop plastic from reaching the waters in the first place. For example, Enaleia, a non-profit enterprise, is training fishing communities in Greece to fish plastic from the sea and collect their used fishing equipment for recycling. This prevents the equipment from becoming "ghost nets," which are a major source of ocean plastic pollution and extremely deadly to marine life.
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Frequently asked questions
Fishing nets that are lost, abandoned, or discarded at sea, also known as "ghost nets", can continue to entangle and suffocate marine wildlife for decades. They also contribute to the transfer of invasive species, habitat damage, and microplastics. According to a report by Greenpeace, lost and abandoned fishing gear makes up the majority of large plastic pollution in the oceans.
According to a study published in March 2018 in Scientific Reports, approximately 46% of the 79 thousand tons of ocean plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is made up of fishing nets, some as large as football fields. Another study of the same area estimated that 86% of the plastic was fishing-related.
Governments can implement policies and regulations to reduce the use of plastic in fishing gear production and hold the fishing industry accountable for its waste. Consumers can also support organizations like Sea Shepherd, which works to remove ghost nets and other abandoned fishing gear from the oceans. Additionally, initiatives like Enaleia in Greece train fishing communities to collect and recycle marine plastic, including fishing nets, to create new sustainable products.
