Ghost Nets: The Invisible Killers in Our Oceans

They drift silently beneath the waves unseen, forgotten, but deadly. Meet ghost nets, the abandoned fishing gear that haunts our oceans.

Every year, 640,000 tons of fishing gear are lost or discarded at sea. Once lost, these nets don’t stop fishing. They become ghost nets, entangling everything in their path from fish to turtles to whales.

What Are Ghost Nets?

Ghost nets are abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) often made from strong, synthetic materials that don’t degrade. They continue to trap marine life indiscriminately for years or even decades.

Caught in the Trap

Ghost nets cause:

• Entanglement: Dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and even seabirds get trapped and drown
• Habitat destruction: Nets settle on coral reefs and fragile seafloors, crushing everything in their way
• Plastic pollution: As nets break down, they release microplastics into the ocean
• Threat to navigation: Nets can get caught in boat propellers, causing accidents and damage

One haunting case: a young humpback whale, nicknamed “Ghost,” was found dragging over 100 feet of netting. It eventually died from infection and exhaustion.

A Global Ocean Crisis

Ghost gear is estimated to make up 46% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. With industrial fishing on the rise, this problem is only growing.

Solutions in Action

Here’s how the world is fighting back:

• Ghost gear recovery programs: Groups like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative retrieve and recycle abandoned nets
• Biodegradable gear: New materials are designed to break down over time
• Marking & tracking: Helps fishers recover lost gear before it becomes ghost gear
• Fisher responsibility laws: Mandate retrieval and reporting of lost equipment

How You Can Help

• Support seafood brands committed to sustainable fishing
• Donate to groups removing ghost nets
• Raise awareness with friends and community
• Recycle or repurpose old fishing gear if you’re part of a coastal or fishing community
• Avoid products made from harmful plastics

Ghost nets are silent but their impact is deafening.

Let’s stop these underwater death traps before they claim more lives.

- Project Blue