Ghost nets are abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear in the ocean and waterways. These pieces of equipment continue to trap and entangle marine life long after their intended use is over – silent, floating killers.
Danny Groves from Whale and Dolphin Conservation explains all you need to to know about this particularly deadly type of marine pollution
From fishing nets and lines to crab pots and fish traps, ghost nets persist in the water for years, wreaking havoc on marine biodiversity, endangering aquatic species, and even posing threats to human livelihoods, says Danny.
Incredibly, nearly half (49%) of the litter recorded on Scottish islands is fishing-gear related. It’s clear that action is needed to identify the sources and causes of this type of discarded net impacting, not just marine wildlife, but also coastal communities.
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What are ghost nets?
Ghost nets are essentially any type of fishing equipment that has been left or lost in the sea. Much of it comes from large commercial fishing operations – bigger fishing nets can become accidentally detached due to storms, vessel malfunctions, or other unforeseen circumstances. It isn't something most fishers intend.
Once adrift, these nets continue to do what they were designed to do: catch marine life. They become indiscriminate killers, ensnaring everything from fish to larger whales, dolphins, turtles, and sharks.
Synthetic materials, such as nylon and other plastics, are used in today’s fisheries and it takes hundreds of years to degrade. Unlike organic materials used in the past, synthetic gear can drift for many, many years.
The impacts of ghost nets can be very destructive. Marine creatures are often drawn to the nets in search of food or simply because they are curious. Once trapped, a dolphin will struggle to escape and will die from suffocation if he or she can’t wriggle free. Even if they escape, the injuries suffered can be catastrophic.
How do ghost nets impact marine ecosystems?
Ghost nets also have a negative impact on marine ecosystems. They trap anything from small fish to apex predators and so reduce biodiversity and alter food chains.
Coral reefs can be particularly vulnerable. When nets get tangled on them the fragile coral structures become damaged or are smothered, further endangering these rich habitats.
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a massive problem. When we think of plastic pollution, we tend to think of items such as packaging and bottles. But just like plastic rubbish from land that enters the sea, as ghost nets degrade, they also fragment into smaller particles known as microplastics.
These particles are ingested by whales and dolphins, which can lead to malnutrition, poisoning, and in some cases, death. When ingested by fish, these microplastics can also enter the human food chain, posing health risks.
Ghost nets are a big issue for the fishing industry and local communities. Lost nets and gear represent a loss of investment. They also become a marine hazard. Potential areas for fishing become compromised due to obstructions caused by discarded nets.
There is a knock-on effect for coastal tourism too. Who wants to visit places where shorelines have become littered with this debris?
Can anything be done to reduce the ecological damage of ghost nets?
Technological improvements in tracking via GPS can help fishers locate and bring back lost gear, and there have been advances in biodegradable netting that could reduce environmental impacts in the future.
A more immediate way to tackle the issue is to collect and recycle more netting. There are many groups in existence that will go out to sea to retrieve ghost gear. There are other initiatives in place that can help with the problem, but that are not being fully utilised.
Many harbours in the UK have waste reception facilities. Yet, according to a new study by Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), despite 93% of UK harbours offering this service, 34% did not accept waste fishing gear. The study looked at 41% of the 464 UK fishing harbours – 190 in total.
While over half of harbours provide free waste disposal, 18% classify end-of-life fishing gear as commercial waste. This imposes disposal charges on fishers or leaves them to manage waste independently. It is a financial burden that could significantly hinder responsible waste management among fishing communities.
The Fishing for Litter initiative encourages fishers to retrieve and return marine litter, including ghost gear, by offering free disposal. Yet the study by WDC shows 69% of harbours do not participate in the scheme. Greater involvement could dramatically reduce marine pollution quickly and support cleaner seas.
Hope for the future
We need a healthy ocean if we are to fight climate breakdown. Tackling the problem of ghost nets requires coordinated action from governments, organisations, and individuals alike.
With more co-operation and participation in recovery initiatives there is hope that the impacts it has on marine life and ecosystems can be slowed and the seas can be preserved for future generations. Until then, this ghost remains very real.
Main image: Getty Images