A ghost net is fishing gear abandoned, lost, or forgotten in the seas or oceans. Commonly encountered as gill nets, trawl nets, purse seine nets, and cage nets, they are typically made of plastic materials and continue to fish uncontrollably underwater over time. Numerous scientific studies show that these nets do not decompose naturally and continue to fish passively. These nets pose a threat to marine life by entangling and killing organisms and seriously damage the marine ecosystem. By covering marine habitats, they reduce light and oxygen permeability, thereby threatening habitats like seagrasses and coral reefs and contributing to microplastic pollution. This situation adversely affects marine biodiversity and those who rely on fishing for their livelihoods. Ghost nets broadly threaten marine life, fishing, and fish consumption.
Negative Impacts of Ghost Nets on the Ecosystem
The effects of ghost nets on ecosystems are highly destructive. These nets threaten the lives of various marine organisms and negatively impact the marine environment. Fish, marine mammals, sea turtles, and even seabirds can become entangled in these nets, with very little chance of escape. Once entangled, they face risks of drowning or starvation. For endangered species, these nets pose an especially severe threat, further endangering already declining populations and potentially driving them to extinction.
Coral reefs, algae, and seabed habitats suffer extensive damage from these nets. The nets can fall onto organisms, causing destruction and smothering. This obstructs photosynthesis, endangering species and leading to their death. Coral reefs and algae serve as essential habitats for many marine organisms. Destruction of these habitats reduces biodiversity, disrupts ecosystem balance, and significantly weakens the survival chances of other species.
Since these nets are often made of plastic materials, they gradually break down into microplastics. These microplastics spread throughout the marine environment, causing harmful effects. They can be ingested by larger marine animals, and ultimately humans, leading to negative health impacts. Microplastics, unintentionally consumed by small marine organisms, enter the food chain and eventually reach larger marine animals and humans.
By continuing to fish uncontrollably in the sea, these nets can reduce fish populations. This negatively affects the fishing industry and creates sustainability issues, as fishers may find fewer of the species they target. Ghost nets can also get caught in fishing equipment, hindering fishing activities and leading to economic losses, thereby threatening fishers' livelihoods.
Detection and Removal of Ghost Nets
Various solutions and projects are being implemented to mitigate the damage caused by ghost nets. Many countries and environmental organizations conduct extensive projects to detect and remove these nets. Dive teams routinely conduct dives in specific areas to collect these nets and bring them in for recycling. International programs, such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), aim to increase awareness by collaborating to collect these nets and prevent the problem. Such projects contribute to the protection of the marine ecosystem.
Training Fishers and Raising Awareness
Fishers undergo comprehensive training programs to use their nets more safely and manage them effectively. These training sessions contribute to fishers’ awareness by offering strategies to prevent net loss and abandonment. Practical information is provided on careful handling and management of nets. Additionally, fishers are educated on the importance of using recyclable materials for nets, emphasizing their contributions to reducing marine pollution and protecting ecosystems. Such training promotes sustainable fishing practices among fishers and significantly contributes to the preservation of marine resources. Equipped with this knowledge, fishers can protect their livelihoods and contribute to the sustainability of marine life.
Sustainable Fishing Equipment
Efforts are underway to create nets from more sustainable and eco-friendly materials. For instance, biodegradable nets are being developed, which naturally decompose over time when introduced into the marine environment, reducing environmental harm.
Regulations and Policies
Many countries have introduced regulations to prevent ghost nets from entering marine environments. These regulations may require fishers to dispose of or recycle their nets properly.
The Mediterranean Conservation Society’s Ghost Net and Seabed Clean-Up Efforts
Lost or abandoned fishing gear underwater is known as ghost nets. Numerous scientific studies show that ghost nets do not decompose naturally and continue to fish passively. These nets cover marine habitats, reducing light and oxygen permeability, threatening habitats like seagrasses and coral reefs, and contributing to microplastic pollution. This situation adversely affects marine biodiversity and impacts those who rely on fishing for their livelihoods. Within the scope of its Ecosystem Restoration projects, the Mediterranean Conservation Society facilitates the removal of ghost nets from marine life and supports their recycling or disposal.
References
Macfadyen, G., Huntington, T., & Cappell, R. (2009). Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 523. Rome, FAO.
Richardson, K., Hardesty, B. D., & Wilcox, C. (2019). Estimates of fishing gear loss rates at a global scale: A literature review and meta-analysis. Fish and Fisheries, 20(6), 1218-1231.
Gilman, E., Chopin, F., Suuronen, P., & Kuemlangan, B. (2016). Abandoned, lost and discarded gillnets and trammel nets: Methods to estimate ghost fishing mortality, and the status of regional monitoring and management. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 600. Rome, FAO.
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