Greta Jimenez
Fishing gear is a significant contributor to ocean pollution, with abandoned fishing nets, ropes, and other gear making up a large proportion of plastic waste in the oceans. While estimates vary, some reports suggest that fishing gear accounts for around 10% of ocean plastic pollution, with fishing nets alone making up half of this figure. Other studies, focusing on specific regions such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, have found higher concentrations of fishing gear, with over 75% of plastic waste in this area originating from fishing activities. The issue of ghost gear—lost or discarded fishing equipment—is particularly harmful to marine life, entangling and killing many species. Efforts to address this problem include international treaties, recycling initiatives, and campaigns targeting the fishing industry and consumer behaviour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of ocean plastic that is fishing gear | 10% |
| Percentage of ocean plastic that is fishing nets | 50% |
| Amount of commercial fishing gear dumped in the ocean each year | 640,000 tonnes |
| Weight of commercial fishing gear dumped in the ocean each year | 55,000 double-decker buses |
| Percentage of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that is fishing gear | 75% to 86% |
| Amount of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch | 79,000 tonnes |
| Percentage of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that is fishing ropes | 46% |
| Percentage of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch that is fishing nets | 42,000 tonnes |
| Percentage of plastic on the seafloor that is fishing gear | 86% |
| Percentage of plastic pollution in oceans that is macroplastics | 70% |
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What You'll Learn
- Fishing nets make up 50% of ocean plastic pollution
- Ghost gear is a major source of ocean plastic pollution
- The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is largely composed of fishing-related plastic waste
- Abandoned fishing gear is particularly deadly to marine life
- Fishing gear makes up a much higher proportion of large pieces of plastic
Fishing nets make up 50% of ocean plastic pollution
Fishing nets and gear make up a significant proportion of ocean plastic pollution, with some estimates claiming that they account for about 50% of all ocean plastic waste. This plastic pollution has a detrimental impact on marine life, as nets can trap and entangle animals, leading to suffocation and death. The issue is further exacerbated by overfishing, which contributes to the rapid decline of marine life as plastic pollution increases.
While the exact percentage of ocean plastic pollution attributed to fishing gear is difficult to pinpoint, various studies and reports provide valuable insights. One report by Greenpeace UK highlights "ghost gear," abandoned fishing gear, as a major source of ocean plastic pollution, endangering marine life worldwide. Louisa Casson, an oceans campaigner at Greenpeace UK, emphasizes the need for global action and regulation of the fishing industry to address this issue.
The Greenpeace report estimates that approximately 640,000 tonnes of commercial fishing gear, including nets, lines, pots, and traps, are discarded in the ocean annually, weighing as much as 55,000 double-decker buses. This abandoned gear, also known as "ghost nets," continues to ensnare and kill marine animals, including sea turtles, seabirds, and even whales.
While fishing gear contributes significantly to ocean plastic pollution, it is important to recognize that river emissions are currently the largest source of plastic pollution in the oceans. However, the impact of fishing gear on specific regions, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is significant. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area three times the size of France, is largely composed of fishing-related plastic waste, with fishing gear making up an estimated 46% to 75% of the plastic waste in this region.
To address the issue of fishing gear pollution, experts and organizations propose a combination of solutions. These include international treaties and regulations, improved recycling practices and infrastructure, consumer awareness and pressure, and the adoption of circular economy principles by governments and businesses. By tackling this complex problem from multiple angles, we can make significant strides in reducing marine waste and protecting our global oceans.
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Ghost gear is a major source of ocean plastic pollution
Ghost gear is abandoned fishing gear, including nets, lines, ropes, pots, and traps, that continues to trap and kill marine animals long after being discarded. It is a significant source of ocean plastic pollution, with some reports claiming it makes up 10% of ocean plastic pollution. However, it forms the majority of large plastic litter in the waters, with one study finding that 70% of macroplastics (over 20cm in size) found floating on the ocean surface were fishing-related.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific, was found to contain 42,000 to 79,000 tons of plastic, with 75% to 86% of it being abandoned fishing gear, primarily from major industrialised fishing nations like the US, China, Japan, and Korea. Fishing nets alone make up 46% to 50% of ocean plastic pollution, and they are responsible for trapping unintended animals, known as bycatch, and contributing to the rapid decline of marine life.
Ghost gear can result from entanglement with reefs, rocks, and other obstructions, conflicts with vessels or other fishing gear, and bad weather. It is also lost due to extended soak times, deep-sea fishing, or deploying excessive gear. This ghost gear can persist for hundreds of years, continuously harming marine life, habitats, and human communities. For example, ghost gear has been found to damage cold-water coral reefs through entanglement, destroying critical habitats for various marine species.
The issue of ghost gear highlights the need for better policies and strategies in the fishing and aquaculture industries to reduce their harmful impacts. It also underscores the importance of responsible fishing practices, the development of alternative materials, and the implementation of gear-marking practices to hold companies accountable for their waste. Additionally, consumer awareness and actions, such as reducing seafood consumption and supporting organisations like The Ocean Cleanup, are crucial in combating ghost gear and ocean plastic pollution.
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The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is largely composed of fishing-related plastic waste
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific Ocean, spanning waters from the West Coast of North America to Japan. It is the world's largest accumulation of floating ocean plastic.
The GPGP is largely composed of fishing-related plastic waste. A recent study found that the patch contains 79,000 tons of plastic, with fishing nets accounting for 46% of the trash by weight. The majority of the remaining waste is composed of other abandoned fishing gear, such as ropes, eel traps, crates, and baskets. These purposely or accidentally dumped fishing nets are known as "ghost nets", which drift through the ocean, entrapping and killing marine life.
Research by The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation working to rid the world's oceans of plastic, found that 75% to 86% of all plastic waste in the GPGP comes from offshore fishing activity. The majority of this fishing waste originates from major industrialised fishing nations, including the United States, China, Japan, and Korea. These nations are the principal producers of the fishing waste found in the GPGP, which is an area three times the size of France.
While microplastics make up 94% of the estimated 1.8 trillion plastic pieces in the GPGP, they only amount to 8% of the total weight, with most of the rest coming from the fishing industry. A 2021 study found that animals migrating through or inhabiting the GPGP are likely consuming plastic, with sea turtles having up to 74% of their diets composed of ocean plastics.
Addressing river emissions, the largest source of plastic pollution into the global ocean, is crucial for reducing plastic inflow into our oceans. However, to ensure sustainable cleanup efforts of the GPGP, fishing gear inputs must also be stopped.
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Abandoned fishing gear is particularly deadly to marine life
Abandoned fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear", poses a significant threat to marine life. It is a major contributor to ocean plastic pollution, with research indicating that it makes up around 10% of ocean plastic when considering microplastics and smaller pieces of waste, but this figure may be higher when looking at larger pieces of plastic. For instance, a study of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch found that abandoned fishing gear constituted 75% to 86% of the plastic waste in that specific area.
Fishing nets alone make up a large proportion of ocean plastic, with some estimates placing them as high as 50% of all ocean plastic pollution. This is particularly concerning given that these nets can drift through the ocean, continuing to trap and kill marine animals, a process known as "ghost fishing". This unselective capture of marine species not only harms efforts for sustainable fishing by reducing population sizes, but also directly endangers marine life.
The impact of abandoned fishing gear extends beyond entanglement and ghost fishing. It can also damage sensitive seafloor habitats, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, and disrupt marine ecosystems. For example, derelict fishing gear can smother or destroy habitats on the seabed, and washed-up nets can entangle shorebirds and other coastal species. Additionally, marine plastics can transport invasive species and diseases across the ocean, further threatening the health of marine organisms and ecosystems.
The issue of abandoned fishing gear is complex and influenced by various factors. Environmental conditions, such as bad weather, tides, and strong currents, are commonly cited as causes of gear loss. Interactions with wildlife can also play a role. Additionally, poor management at sea or onboard vessels, and even deliberate abandonment, contribute to the problem. While fishers are taking measures to reduce gear loss, it remains a challenging issue.
To address the problem of abandoned fishing gear, various initiatives and programs have been established. The Global Ghost Gear Initiative, for instance, is an international partnership dedicated to tackling the issue of lost and discarded gear. The NOAA Marine Debris Program in the United States has been working since 2006 to remove derelict fishing gear from marine protected areas and provide disposal solutions for old or unwanted gear. These efforts are crucial in mitigating the deadly impact of abandoned fishing gear on marine life and preserving the health of marine ecosystems.
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Fishing gear makes up a much higher proportion of large pieces of plastic
While it is challenging to estimate the precise proportion of ocean waste that comes from fishing gear, it is a significant issue that requires attention. It is estimated that over 640,000 tonnes of commercial fishing gear, including nets, lines, pots, and traps, are discarded into the ocean annually, equivalent to the weight of 55,000 double-decker buses.
Fishing gear, specifically nets, makes up a large proportion of large pieces of plastic pollution in the oceans. A Greenpeace report revealed that fishing gear accounts for approximately 70% of plastics more than 20cm in size floating on the ocean surface and 86% of plastic waste on the seafloor. This report considered microplastics and smaller pieces of plastic waste, concluding that fishing gear represented just 10% of ocean plastic overall. However, it is important to note that some of the smaller plastics could have originated from fishing gear as well.
The impact of fishing gear plastic pollution varies depending on the geographic location. For instance, out of six tonnes of garbage collected from Henderson Island, a remote island in the Pacific, 60% was found to be fishing gear. Additionally, a study of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) revealed that it is largely composed of fishing-related plastic waste, with 75% to 86% of all plastic waste originating from offshore fishing activities. This area, spanning three times the size of France, is the world's largest accumulation of floating ocean plastic.
The issue of fishing gear plastic pollution is not limited to a specific region or location. It is a global concern that requires attention and action from the fishing industry and governments worldwide. Abandoned fishing gear, often referred to as "ghost gear," poses a significant threat to marine life, entangling and suffocating various species. The impact of this plastic pollution on marine ecosystems cannot be overstated, and it is crucial that efforts are made to address and reduce this form of pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Estimates vary, with some sources claiming that fishing gear makes up 10% of ocean plastic pollution, while others claim it could be as high as 50%. However, it is important to note that fishing gear makes up a much higher proportion of large pieces of plastic, with one study finding that it accounts for 70% of plastics more than 20cm in size that float on the ocean's surface.
The GPGP is an area of plastic accumulation in the North Pacific, also known as the world's largest accumulation of floating ocean plastic. It is estimated that the GPGP contains 42,000 to 79,000 tons of plastic, with 75% to 86% of this waste coming from fishing-related activities, specifically from large fishing nations like the US, China, Japan, and Korea.
Ghost gear refers to lost or abandoned fishing gear, such as nets, lines, pots, and traps, that continue to drift through the ocean, entrapping and killing marine animals. Ghost gear is considered the deadliest form of marine plastic, threatening 66% of marine animals, including all sea turtle species and 50% of seabirds.
