Meghan Hodges
Lost, abandoned, and discarded fishing nets, also known as ghost nets, are a significant source of ocean plastic pollution. They are particularly deadly to marine life, entangling and suffocating countless creatures, including fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals, and birds. Ghost gear is estimated to constitute 10% of ocean plastic pollution, but it forms the majority of large plastic litter in the water. A study of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific, found that 86% of the 42,000 tonnes of macroplastics in the patch were fishing nets. While it is challenging to determine the sources of marine plastics, especially microplastics, addressing the issue of ghost nets is crucial for mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of ocean plastic pollution that is ghost gear | 10% |
| Amount of ghost gear in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | 46% |
| Amount of ghost gear in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by weight | 70% |
| Amount of ghost gear in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that is fishing nets | 86% |
| Amount of ghost gear in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that is fishing ropes | 46% |
| Amount of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that is fishing gear | 75-86% |
| Amount of fishing gear in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that originates from the US, China, Japan, and Korea | 75-86% |
| Number of sea turtles found dead off the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico, due to ghost gear | 300 |
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What You'll Learn
Nets are the biggest plastic polluter in the ocean
Nets are the biggest plastic polluters in the ocean. Lost, abandoned, and discarded fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear," is estimated to make up 10% of ocean plastic pollution and forms the majority of large plastic littering the waters. This figure is even higher in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, where it is estimated that 46% of the plastic in this area is made up of fishing ropes and nets.
Fishing nets are particularly harmful as they can continue to entangle and kill marine life for decades. They are responsible for the decline in some fish populations and the entanglement of various marine animals, including sea turtles, sharks, whales, dolphins, seals, and marine birds. The impact of ghost gear on marine life is not limited to entanglement, as it also affects the nesting habits of sea turtles, with mother turtles becoming trapped in abandoned gear on beaches and their babies unable to reach the sea once they hatch.
The problem of ghost gear in the ocean is a global issue, with major industrialized fishing nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Korea, being the principal producers of the fishing waste found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. However, it is important to note that rivers remain the largest source of plastic pollution into the oceans, and the contribution of fishing gear varies depending on the specific region and current patterns.
To address the issue of ghost gear, organizations such as Greenpeace and WWF are calling for international action and collaboration between governments, fishers, and other stakeholders. Efforts include removing abandoned nets from the water, establishing gear collection and recycling programs, developing tools for better tracking and recovery of gear, and promoting sustainable fishing practices. Some countries, such as Greece, are also implementing initiatives to train fishers to recover marine plastic with their nets, contributing to a circular approach to make marine ecosystems more sustainable.
Despite these efforts, the problem of ghost gear in the ocean persists and continues to be a significant threat to marine life and the health of our oceans.
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Nets are a major source of ocean plastic pollution
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific, is estimated to contain 42,000 tons of megaplastics, of which 75% to 86% is fishing-related, with nets and ropes making up 46% of the mass. Another expedition to the South Pacific found an estimated 18 tons of plastic debris on a 2.5 km stretch of beach on Henderson Island, accumulating at a rate of several thousand pieces per day.
Fishing gear is estimated to make up 10% of all ocean plastic pollution, with a recent study finding that as much as 70% (by weight) of macroplastics (over 20 cm in size) found floating on the ocean surface was fishing-related. The problem is particularly acute in the GPGP, where the majority of fishing waste originates from major industrialized fishing nations such as the United States, China, Japan, and Korea.
To address the issue of ghost gear, organizations like the WWF work with fishers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to remove abandoned nets, establish gear collection and recycling programs, develop tools for better tracking and recovery of gear, and promote more sustainable fishing practices. Non-profit enterprises like Enaleia in Greece also work with fishers and companies to adopt a circular approach and make marine ecosystems more sustainable.
While it is challenging to assess the sources of marine plastics, especially once they become microplastics, the available research highlights the significant contribution of fishing gear to ocean plastic pollution.
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Nets are the deadliest form of marine plastic
Nets and other fishing gear are a significant source of ocean plastic pollution, with serious ecological consequences. Ghost gear, or abandoned fishing equipment, is estimated to make up around 10% of ocean plastic pollution, forming the majority of large plastic in the water. This figure may be even higher in specific areas, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, where it is estimated that 75-86% of plastic originates from fishing activities.
Fishing nets are particularly deadly as they indiscriminately entangle marine wildlife, including mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, and sharks, leading to slow and painful deaths through exhaustion and suffocation. The impact of ghost nets on sea turtles is especially severe, as they become trapped when trying to lay their eggs, and their babies are unable to reach the sea once they hatch. In addition to the direct harm caused by entanglement, ghost nets also contribute to the decline in fish populations by impairing movement and feeding abilities.
The problem of ghost gear is exacerbated by illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing practices, as well as overcrowded fisheries. The under-regulation of the fishing industry has led to calls for stronger global treaties and government intervention to address this issue. Greenpeace, for instance, has advocated for international action to tackle plastic pollution and hold the fishing industry accountable for its dangerous waste.
To combat the problem of ghost gear, organizations like Sea Shepherd and WWF collaborate with fishers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to remove abandoned nets, establish gear collection and recycling programs, and develop tools for better gear tracking and management. These efforts aim to reduce the deadly impact of ghost gear on marine life and mitigate the plastic pollution caused by fishing activities.
While it is challenging to address the issue of microplastics in the ocean, focusing on preventing and removing larger fishing gear, such as nets, can significantly reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems.
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Nets are a threat to marine life
Nets and other fishing gear are a significant source of ocean pollution and pose a grave threat to marine life. According to various sources, fishing gear makes up around 10% of ocean plastic debris, with some estimates placing it as high as 70% for macroplastics (over 20cm in size) found floating on the ocean's surface. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific, is estimated to contain 42,000 tonnes of macroplastics, of which 86% is comprised of fishing nets.
Fishing nets, also known as "ghost nets," can continue to entangle and kill marine animals for decades after being lost or discarded in the ocean. They indiscriminately trap and kill countless fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals, and marine birds. Sea turtles are particularly affected by ghost nets, as they can become trapped when trying to lay their eggs on nesting beaches, and their hatchlings struggle to reach the sea due to the debris. In Oaxaca, Mexico, around 300 sea turtles were found dead due to entanglement in ghost gear, and a pregnant whale was discovered entangled off the Orkney coast.
Nets and other fishing gear are often abandoned by the fishing industry, with over 640,000 tonnes of nets, lines, pots, and traps discarded in the sea annually. This gear, originating primarily from major industrialised fishing nations, poses a significant threat to marine life and contributes to the growing problem of ocean plastic pollution. Greenpeace and other organisations have called for global action to address this issue, urging governments and the fishing industry to take responsibility and implement measures to reduce the impact of ghost gear on marine ecosystems.
To combat the threat of nets and fishing gear, organisations like World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) collaborate with fishers, government agencies, and other stakeholders to remove abandoned nets, establish gear collection and recycling programs, and develop tools for better gear tracking and management. Additionally, non-profit enterprises like Enaleia in Greece work with fishers and companies to promote a circular approach and enhance the sustainability of marine ecosystems. These efforts aim to reduce the deadly impact of nets and other fishing gear on marine life and mitigate plastic pollution in our oceans.
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Nets are a significant part of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Nets and other fishing gear are a major source of ocean plastic pollution. According to experts, abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear is the deadliest form of marine plastic, threatening 66% of marine animals, including all sea turtle species and 50% of seabirds. This fishing gear, often referred to as "ghost gear," can continue to kill marine life for years or even decades, entangling and suffocating countless creatures, including fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals, and marine birds.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is a massive accumulation of floating ocean plastic located in the North Pacific. It is estimated that the GPGP contains 42,000 tonnes of macroplastics, of which a significant portion is fishing-related. One study found that 86% of the GPGP's plastic was attributable to offshore fishing and aquaculture activities, with the majority of the fishing gear originating from the US, China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula.
The Netflix documentary Seaspiracy brought attention to the issue of plastic pollution in the GPGP, claiming that 46% of the plastic in the patch was comprised of fishing ropes and nets. While some have criticised the film for allegedly exaggerating the role of fishing gear in marine plastic pollution, it is important to note that the GPGP is located within an ocean gyre, a natural whirlpool that attracts buoyant plastics, including large fishing gear.
To address the problem of ghost gear in the GPGP and other parts of the ocean, organisations like Greenpeace, WWF, and Sea Shepherd are advocating for international action and calling on governments and the fishing industry to take responsibility for reducing and cleaning up plastic pollution. These efforts include establishing gear collection and recycling programs, developing tools for better tracking and recovery of gear, and promoting more sustainable fishing practices.
Overall, while it is challenging to assess the sources of marine plastics, particularly once they break down into microplastics, it is clear that nets and fishing gear contribute significantly to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the broader issue of ocean plastic pollution. Addressing this issue requires a combination of policy changes, market shifts, and individual consumer actions to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Fishing nets and gear make up about 10% of ocean plastic pollution, but form the majority of large plastic in the ocean.
Ghost gear, also known as ghost nets, refers to any abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear. This includes nets, lines, pots, traps, ropes, and baskets.
Ghost gear is the deadliest form of marine plastic. It entangles and suffocates marine life, including fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals, and birds. It is estimated that 70% of marine animal entanglements involve abandoned plastic fishing nets.
The major sources of ghost gear are industrial fisheries, illegal and unregulated fishing, and overcrowded fisheries. Major industrialized fishing nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Korea, are the principal producers of fishing waste found in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Governments, fishing gear manufacturers, and individual consumers all have a role to play in reducing ghost gear pollution. Governments can implement policies and regulations to prevent and reduce ghost gear pollution. Manufacturers can innovate new, traceable fishing gear. Consumers can advocate for stronger regulations and support organizations working to remove ghost gear from the oceans.
