View source for Ghost net

{{short description|Fishing net left or lost in the sea, endangering marine animals or human divers}}
{{For|the computer malware spying operation|GhostNet}}
[[File:Turtle entangled in marine debris (ghost net).jpg|thumb|300px|A sea turtle entangled in a ghost net.]]

'''Ghost nets''' are [[fishing net]]s that have been abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded in the ocean, lakes, and rivers.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Macfadyen |first1=G. |title=Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear |date=2009 |publisher=United Nations Environment Programme |location=Rome |isbn=978-92-5-106196-1}}</ref>  These nets, often nearly invisible in the dim light, can be left tangled on a rocky reef or [[marine debris|drifting in the open sea]]. They can [[Plastic_pollution#Entanglement|entangle]] [[fish]], [[dolphin]]s, [[sea turtle]]s, [[shark]]s, [[dugong]]s, [[crocodile]]s, [[seabird]]s, [[crab]]s, and other creatures, including the occasional human diver.<ref>Esteban, Michelle (2002) [http://www.eurocbc.org/page54.html ''Tracking Down Ghost Nets'']</ref> Acting as designed, the nets restrict movement, causing starvation, laceration and infection, and suffocation in those that need to return to the surface to breathe.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6248366.stm |title='Ghost fishing' killing seabirds |access-date=2008-04-01 |date=28 June 2007 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
It's estimated that around 48 million tons (48,000 kt) of lost fishing gear is generated each year, not including those that were abandoned or discarded<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kuczenski |first1=Brandon |last2=Vargas Poulsen |first2=Camila |last3=Gilman |first3=Eric L. |last4=Musyl |first4=Michael |last5=Geyer |first5=Roland |last6=Wilson |first6=Jono |title=Plastic gear loss estimates from remote observation of industrial fishing activity |journal=Fish and Fisheries |date=30 July 2021 |volume=23 |pages=22–33 |doi=10.1111/faf.12596|s2cid=238820992 |doi-access=free }}</ref> and these may linger in the oceans for a considerable time before breaking-up.

==Description==
[[File:Marine organisms entangled in a ghost net within the Maldives (Olive Ridley Project).jpg|thumb|300px|Many marine species including [[turtles]], [[sharks]], [[whales]], [[dolphins]], and [[dugong]]s become entangled in ghost nets. Most go unnoticed and unrecorded.]]
[[File:Starbuck AKK FishnetFloat.jpg|thumb|300px|A [[glass float]] on the beach. Many of these floats for fish nets wash up on island beaches around the Pacific. The loss of the floats can leave fish nets drifting in the open ocean where they continue to entangle fish, birds, and marine mammals.]]

Some commercial fishermen use [[gillnet]]s. These are suspended in the sea by flotation [[buoy]]s, such as [[glass float]]s, along one edge. In this way they can form a vertical wall hundreds of metres long, where any fish within a certain size range can be caught. Normally these nets are collected by fishermen and the catch removed. 

If this is not done, the net can continue to catch fish until the weight of the catch exceeds the buoyancy of the floats. The net then sinks, and the fish are devoured by bottom-dwelling crustaceans and other fish. Then the floats pull the net up again and the cycle continues. Given the high-quality synthetics that are used today, the destruction can continue for a long time.

The problem is not just nets but '''ghost gear''' in general;<ref name=guard1>Hannah Gould, [https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/sep/10/fishing-industry-vows-to-tackle-wildlife-deaths-from-ghost-gear Hidden problem of 'ghost gear': the abandoned fishing nets clogging up oceans], ''Theguardian.com'', 10 September 2015</ref> old-fashioned [[crab trap]]s, without the required "rot-out panel", also sit on the bottom, where they become self-baiting traps that can continue to trap marine life for years. Even balled-up [[fishing line]] can be deadly for a variety of creatures, including birds and marine mammals.<ref name="Goodman et al 2019">{{cite journal |last1=Goodman |first1=Alexa J. |last2=Brillant |first2=Sean |last3=Walker |first3=Tony R. |last4=Bailey |first4=Megan |last5=Callaghan |first5=Carolyn |title=A Ghostly Issue: Managing abandoned, lost and discarded lobster fishing gear in the Bay of Fundy in Eastern Canada |journal=Ocean & Coastal Management |date=August 2019 |volume=181 |pages=104925 |doi=10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2019.104925 |bibcode=2019OCM...18104925G |s2cid=181633186 }}</ref> Over time the nets become more and more tangled. In general, fish are less likely to be trapped in gear that has been down a long time.<ref>Dunagan, Christopher (2000)[[The Sun (Lowell)|''The Sun'']]. [http://web.kitsapsun.com/news/2000/may/0504pugetsoundwa.html The net effect: trouble] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404001020/http://web.kitsapsun.com/news/2000/may/0504pugetsoundwa.html |date=2009-04-04 }}, 5 April</ref>

Fishermen sometimes abandon worn-out nets because it is often the easiest way to get rid of them.<ref name=guard1/>

The French government offered a reward for ghost nets handed in to local coastguards along sections of the Normandy coast between 1980 and 1981. The project was abandoned when people vandalized nets to claim rewards, without retrieving anything at all from the shoreline or ocean.<ref>Andres, Von Brandt (1984) ''Fish catching methods of the world'' {{ISBN|978-0-685-63409-7}}.</ref>

In September 2015, the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) was created by the [[World Animal Protection]] to give a unique and stronger voice to the cause.

The term '''ALDFG''' means "abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear".<ref name="Goodman et al 2019"/>

==Environmental impact==
From 2000 to 2012, the [[National Marine Fisheries Service]] reported an average of 11 large [[whales]] entangled in ghost nets every year along the US west coast. From 2002 to 2010, 870 nets were recovered in [[Washington (state)]] with over 32,000 marine animals trapped inside. Ghost gear is estimated to account for 10% (640,000 tonnes) of all [[marine litter]].<ref name=guard1/>

An estimated 46% of the [[Great Pacific Garbage Patch]] consists of fishing related plastics.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Lebreton |first1=L. |last2=Slat |first2=B. |last3=Ferrari |first3=F. |last4=Sainte-Rose |first4=B. |last5=Aitken |first5=J. |last6=Marthouse |first6=R. |last7=Hajbane |first7=S. |last8=Cunsolo |first8=S. |last9=Schwarz |first9=A. |last10=Levivier |first10=A. |last11=Noble |first11=K. |last12=Debeljak |first12=P. |last13=Maral |first13=H. |last14=Schoeneich-Argent |first14=R. |last15=Brambini |first15=R. |last16=Reisser |first16=J. |title=Evidence that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is rapidly accumulating plastic |journal=Scientific Reports |date=22 March 2018 |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=4666 |doi=10.1038/s41598-018-22939-w |pmid=29568057 |pmc=5864935 |bibcode=2018NatSR...8.4666L }}</ref> Fishing nets account for about 1% of the total mass of all marine macroplastics larger than {{Convert|200|mm|in}}, and plastic fishing gear overall constitutes over two-thirds of the total mass.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Eriksen|first1=Marcus|last2=Lebreton|first2=Laurent C. M.|last3=Carson|first3=Henry S.|last4=Thiel|first4=Martin|last5=Moore|first5=Charles J.|last6=Borerro|first6=Jose C.|last7=Galgani|first7=Francois|last8=Ryan|first8=Peter G.|last9=Reisser|first9=Julia|date=2014-12-10|title=Plastic Pollution in the World's Oceans: More than 5 Trillion Plastic Pieces Weighing over 250,000 Tons Afloat at Sea|journal=[[PLOS ONE]]|volume=9|issue=12|pages=e111913|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0111913|pmc=4262196|pmid=25494041|bibcode=2014PLoSO...9k1913E|doi-access=free}}</ref>

According to the SeaDoc Society, each ghost net kills $20,000 worth of [[Dungeness crab]] over 10 years. The [[Virginia Institute of Marine Science]] calculated that ghost crab pots capture 1.25 million [[Callinectes sapidus|blue crab]]s each year in the [[Chesapeake Bay]] alone.<ref name=guard1/>

In May 2016, the [[Australian Fisheries Management Authority]] (AFMA) recovered 10 tonnes of abandoned nets within the [[Exclusive economic zone of Australia|Australian Exclusive Economic Zone]] and [[Torres Strait]] protected zone perimeters. One protected turtle was rescued.<ref>[http://www.afma.gov.au/ghost-net-busters/ Ghost net busters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918034251/https://www.afma.gov.au/ghost-net-busters |date=2021-09-18 }}, ''Afma.gov.au'', 3 May 2016</ref>

The northern Australian olive ridley sea turtle [[Olive ridley sea turtle|Lepidochelys olivacea]], is a genetically distinct variation of the olive ridley sea turtle. Ghost nets pose a threat to the continued existence of the northern Australian variety. Without further action to preserve the northern Australian olive ridley sea turtle, the population could face extinction.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Jensen|first1=Michael P.|last2=Limpus|first2=Colin J.|last3=Whiting|first3=Scott D.|last4=Guinea|first4=Michael|last5=Prince|first5=Robert I. T.|last6=Dethmers|first6=Kiki E. M.|last7=Adnyana|first7=Ida Bagus Windia|last8=Kennett|first8=Rod|last9=FitzSimmons|first9=Nancy N.|date=2013-10-09|title=Defining olive ridley turtle Lepidochelys olivacea management units in Australia and assessing the potential impact of mortality in ghost nets|url=https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/esr/v21/n3/p241-253/|journal=Endangered Species Research|language=en|volume=21|issue=3|pages=241–253|doi=10.3354/esr00521|issn=1863-5407|doi-access=free|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Researchers in Brazil used social media to estimate how ghost nets have negatively affected the Brazilian marine biota. Footage of ghost nets found on Google and YouTube were obtained and analyzed to arrive at the results of the study. They found that ghost nets have an adverse effect on several marine species, including large marine animals, such as the Bryde's whale and Guiana dolphin.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Azevedo-Santos|first1=Valter M.|last2=Marques|first2=Larissa M.|last3=Teixeira|first3=Clarissa R.|last4=Giarrizzo|first4=Tommaso|last5=Barreto|first5=Rodrigo|last6=Rodrigues-Filho|first6=Jorge L.|date=2021-11-01|title=Digital media reveal negative impacts of ghost nets on Brazilian marine biodiversity|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X21008559|journal=Marine Pollution Bulletin|language=en|volume=172|pages=112821|doi=10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112821|pmid=34380100 |bibcode=2021MarPB.17212821A |issn=0025-326X|url-access=subscription|hdl=11449/222139|hdl-access=free}}</ref>

==Solutions==
[[File:Pearl_and_Hermes_Atoll_-_Monster_net.jpg|thumb|This monster net found at [[Pearl and Hermes Atoll]] in 2014 weighed 11.5 tons]]
=== Alternative materials and practice ===
Unlike synthetic fishing nets, [[biodegradable]] fishing nets decompose naturally under water after a certain period of time. Coconut fibre ([[coir]]) fishing nets are commercially made and are hence a practical solution that can be taken by fishermen.<ref>[https://phys.org/news/2016-02-biodegradable-fishing-nets-marine-animals.html Biodegradable fishing nets: advantages]</ref><ref>[https://www.fao.org/economic/futurefibres/fibres/coir/en/ Coir fishing nets]</ref>

Technology systems for marking and tracking fishing gear, including GPS tracking, are being trialled to promote greater accountability and transparency.<ref>[https://www.ghostgear.org/projects/2018/10/10/fish-aggregating-device-tracking-and-management Ghostgear]</ref>

=== Collection and recycling ===
Legalizing gear retrievals and establishing waste management systems is required to manage and mitigate abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear at-sea.<ref name="Goodman et al 2019"/> The company Net-works worked out a solution to turn discarded fishing nets into carpet tiles.<ref>Lynn Beavis,[https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2015/apr/30/net-works-is-net-gain-for-poor-coastal-community Net-Works is net gain for poor coastal community], ''Theguardian.com'', 30 April 2015</ref>

Between 2008 and 2015, the US Fishing for Energy initiative collected 2.8 million pounds of fishing gear, and in partnership with [[Reworld]] turned this into enough electricity to power 182 homes for one year by incineration.<ref name=guard1/><ref>NOAA, [https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/prevention/fishing-energy Fishing for Energy]. Accessed July 25, 2017</ref>

One retrieval initiative in Southwest Nova Scotia in Canada conducted 60 retrieval trips, searched ~1523 square kilometers of the seafloor and removed 7064 kg of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) (comprising 66% lobster traps and 22% dragger cable). Lost traps continued to capture target and non-target species. A total of 15 different species were released from retrieved ALDFG, including 239 lobsters (67% were market-sized) and seven groundfish (including five species-at-risk). The commercial losses from ALDFG in Southwest Nova Scotia were estimated at $175,000 CAD annually.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Goodman |first1=Alexa J. |last2=McIntyre |first2=Jessie |last3=Smith |first3=Ariel |last4=Fulton |first4=Leah |last5=Walker |first5=Tony R. |last6=Brown |first6=Craig J. |title=Retrieval of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear in Southwest Nova Scotia, Canada: Preliminary environmental and economic impacts to the commercial lobster industry |journal=Marine Pollution Bulletin |date=October 2021 |volume=171 |pages=112766 |doi=10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112766 |pmid=34330000 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2021MarPB.17112766G }}</ref>

In 2009 world-renowned Dutch technical diver Pascal van Erp started to recover abandoned ghost fishing gear entangled on North Sea wrecks. He soon inspired others. Organised teams of volunteer technical divers recovered tons of ghost fishing gear off the Netherlands coastline. The loop was then closed - after a season's diving 22 tons of fishing gear was sent to the Aquafil Group for recycling back into new Nylon 6 material. In 2012 Pascal van Erp formally founded the not-for-profit Ghost Fishing organisation. <ref>Rosemary E Lunn [https://xray-mag.com/content/ghost-fishing-organisation-puts-divers-centre-stage-0/ The 'Ghost Fishing' organisation puts divers centre stage]</ref> In 2020 the Ghost Fishing Foundation rebranded as the Ghost Diving Foundation.<ref>Rosemary E Lunn [https://xray-mag.com/content/ghost-diving-establishes-new-chapter-uk/ Ghost Diving establishes a new chapter in the UK]</ref> 

A plan to protect UK seas from ghost fishing was backed by the [[European Parliament]] Fisheries Committee in 2018. Mr. Flack, who led the committee, said: "Abandoned fishing nets are polluting our seas, wasting fishing stocks and indiscriminately killing whales, sea lions or even dolphins. The tragedy of ghost fishing must end".<ref>[http://conservativeeurope.com/news/meps-back-plan-to-end-ghost-fishing MEPs back plan to end ‘ghost fishing'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816040603/http://conservativeeurope.com/news/meps-back-plan-to-end-ghost-fishing |date=2019-08-16 }}. 20 June 2018</ref>

Net amnesty schemes such as Fishing for Litter create incentives for the collection and responsible disposal of end of life fishing gear. These schemes address the root cause for many net abandonments, which is the financial cost of their disposal.<ref>[https://fishingforlitter.org// Fishing for Litter]{{psc|date=February 2024}}</ref>

Fishing nets are often made from extremely high quality plastics to ensure suitable strength, which makes them desirable for recycling. Initiatives like Healthy Seas are connecting environmental cleanup projects to manufacturers to re-use these materials.<ref> [https://www.healthyseas.org Healthy Seas]{{psc|date=February 2024}}</ref> Recycled waste nets can be made into yarn and consumer products, such as swimwear.<ref>Rosemary E Lunn [https://www.deeperblue.com/fourth-element-closes-loop-launch-ocean-positive/ Fourth Element Closes The Loop With The Launch Of ‘Ocean Positive’ Swimwear]</ref><ref>Naveen Sydney [https://seasweepers.io/blogs/news/seasweepers-announces-ocean-plastics-based-clothing-campaign-to-raise-funds-for-new-marine-plastics-recycling-center/ SeaSweepers Launches Ocean Plastics Based Clothing to Raise Funds for New Marine Plastics Recycling Center]</ref>

In Australia, the Carpentaria Ghost Nets Program has collaborated with indigenous communities to increase awareness of ghost nets and to foster long term solutions. The program has trained indigenous northern Australians in scouting for ghost nets and in removing ghost nets and other plastic pollution.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gunn|first1=Riki|last2=Hardesty|first2=Britta Denise|last3=Butler|first3=James|date=2010|title=Tackling 'ghost nets': Local solutions to a global issue in northern Australia|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1442-8903.2010.00525.x|journal=Ecological Management & Restoration|language=en|volume=11|issue=2|pages=88–98|doi=10.1111/j.1442-8903.2010.00525.x|bibcode=2010EcoMR..11...88G |issn=1442-8903|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Drift netting]]
*[[Monofilament fishing line#Environmental impact]]
*[[The Derelict Crab Trap Program]]
*[[Plastic pollution]]

'''General:'''
*[[Marine debris]]
*[[List of environmental issues]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
1

== References ==

{{Refbegin}}
*Macfadyen G, Huntington T and Cappell R (2009) [ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/i0620e/i0620e.pdf Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear]{{dead link|date=May 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} [[FAO]]: Fisheries and Aquaculture, ''Technical paper 523''. Rome.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
*[http://www.tangledseas.org Film on Ghost nets in the Indian Ocean]
*[https://www.oliveridleyproject.org Ghost nets in the Indian Ocean]
*[https://www.ghostdiving.org Ghost Diving - International cleanup projects]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080325002457/http://www.highseasghost.net/ Ghost Net Project]
*[https://www.ghostnets.com.au/ Carpentaria Ghost Net Programme]
*[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4673939 Team Hunts Deadly 'Ghost Nets' in the Pacific]
*[http://www.eurocbc.org/page54.html Tracking Down Ghost Nets]
*[https://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/ghost-net-turtle-toll-rises-as-cyclone-nears/2006/04/24/1145730846319.html Ghost nets kill sea turtles]
*[http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/19353/icode/ Ghost nets hurting marine environment: UN report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801095725/http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/19353/icode/ |date=2018-08-01 }}

{{Fishing tackle|expanded=techniques}}
{{Fisheries and fishing}}

[[Category:Environmental impact of fishing]]
[[Category:Nets (devices)]]
[[Category:Water pollution]]