Fishing Nets: Ocean Plastic's Deadliest Killer?

Fishing nets make up nearly half of the world's plastic ocean pollution. A survey for the Ocean Cleanup campaign found that 46% of the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area twice the size of Texas, came from fishing nets. This is despite efforts since the 1990s to mark fishing gear to hold companies accountable.

Fishing nets make up nearly half of the world's plastic ocean pollution

The nets, which can be as large as football fields, are dangerous to marine animals. They can continue killing indiscriminately for decades, entangling or suffocating countless fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals and marine birds. An estimated 30% of the decline in some fish populations is a result of discarded fishing equipment, while more than 70% of marine animal entanglements involve abandoned plastic fishing nets.

The nets are not only damaging as waste. When they are active, unintended animals can become trapped in the sometimes mile-long webs of plastic.

The issue is adding insult to injury for ocean conservationists. Overfishing is leading to rapid declines of marine life as plastic pollution increases. Some experts estimate that we'll see more plastic in the oceans than fish within the next three decades. Yet companies like Disney, McDonald's, and Starbucks, which have all announced plans to remove or replace plastic straws, still serve fish and seafood products.

Despite efforts since the 1990s to mark fishing gear to hold companies accountable, it's a "complicated" problem, says Minter. "Combined with better onshore facilities to dispose of such gear — ideally by recycling — and penalties for dumping at sea, such a system could go a long way toward reducing marine waste."

Ghost nets can continue killing marine animals for decades

Fishing nets make up nearly half of the world's plastic ocean pollution. A study published in March 2018 in Scientific Reports found that 46% of the 79,000 tons of ocean plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is made up of fishing nets. These nets, known as "ghost nets", can continue killing marine animals for decades.

Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been lost, abandoned or discarded at sea. They are made from nylon, a material that is much stronger and cheaper than the rope that was previously used. Nylon does not decompose, meaning that ghost nets can continue to catch fish and other marine animals for many years. The nets can entangle or suffocate countless fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals and marine birds. An estimated 30% of the decline in some fish populations is a result of discarded fishing equipment, while more than 70% of marine animal entanglements involve abandoned plastic fishing nets.

Ghost nets can also injure marine animals. Dolphins, for example, can choke on the nets. Fish that get caught in ghost nets starve to death. The trapped animals attract predators and scavengers, who then become ensnared themselves. This creates a destructive cycle that can continue indefinitely.

The impact of ghost nets goes beyond the direct harm they cause to marine animals. They can also contribute to the decline of marine habitats and overfishing, which is leading to rapid declines of marine life. Some experts estimate that we will see more plastic in the oceans than fish within the next three decades.

Abandoned nets can entangle and suffocate marine animals

Fishing nets make up nearly half of the world's plastic ocean pollution. A survey for the Ocean Cleanup campaign found that 46% of the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch came from fishing nets.

Abandoned fishing nets are dangerous to marine animals. They can continue killing indiscriminately for decades, entangling or suffocating countless fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals and marine birds every year. An estimated 30% of the decline in some fish populations is a result of discarded fishing equipment, while more than 70% of marine animal entanglements involve abandoned plastic fishing nets.

Fishing nets are sometimes called 'ghost gear' because they continue to fish long after they've been abandoned, to the great detriment of marine habitats. When nets are active, unintended animals (bycatch) can become trapped in the sometimes mile-long webs of plastic. Animals can also find their way into the abandoned nets, becoming tangled and suffocated.

The issue of fishing nets contributing to ocean plastic pollution is adding insult to injury for ocean conservationists. Overfishing is leading to rapid declines of marine life as plastic pollution increases.

Overfishing is leading to rapid declines in marine life

Fishing nets make up nearly half of the world's plastic ocean pollution. A survey for the Ocean Cleanup campaign found that 46% of the plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by weight came from fishing nets. Other fishing industry gear came in a close second. Fishing nets lost, abandoned or discarded at sea – also known as 'ghost nets' – can continue killing indiscriminately for decades, entangling or suffocating countless fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals and marine birds every year. An estimated 30% of the decline in some fish populations is a result of discarded fishing equipment, while more than 70% of marine animal entanglements involve abandoned plastic fishing nets.

The issue is adding insult to injury for ocean conservationists. Overfishing is leading to rapid declines of marine life as plastic pollution increases. Some experts estimate that we'll see more plastic in the oceans than fish within the next three decades. Yet companies like Disney, McDonald's and Starbucks – which have all announced plans to remove or replace plastic straws – still serve fish and seafood products.

Despite efforts since the 1990s to mark fishing gear to hold companies accountable, the problem is a complicated one. Combined with better onshore facilities to dispose of such gear – ideally by recycling – and penalties for dumping at sea, such a system could go a long way toward reducing marine waste.

Some experts estimate that there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish within the next three decades

Fishing nets are not the only plastic waste in the ocean, but they are one of the most damaging. When nets are active, unintended animals can become trapped in the sometimes mile-long webs of plastic. These nets can also be abandoned, becoming so-called "ghost nets" that continue to kill indiscriminately for decades, entangling or suffocating countless fish, sharks, whales, dolphins, sea turtles, seals and marine birds. An estimated 30% of the decline in some fish populations is a result of discarded fishing equipment, while more than 70% of marine animal entanglements involve abandoned plastic fishing nets.

The problem is complex, and efforts to reduce the impact of fishing nets on the ocean have been ongoing since the 1990s. One solution is to mark fishing gear to hold companies accountable, combined with better onshore facilities to dispose of such gear and penalties for dumping at sea. Despite these efforts, plastic pollution continues to rise, and overfishing is leading to rapid declines in marine life.

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