Ghost Gear Haunts Our Oceans: A Plastic Menace

Ghost gear, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), is a major source of ocean plastic pollution, threatening marine life and ecosystems. It includes nets, lines, ropes, and traps, which continue to ensnare marine organisms, causing harm and death. Ghost gear constitutes about 10% of ocean plastic waste, with a higher proportion of large plastics at the surface. It damages marine habitats, alters sediments, and disrupts feeding and breeding grounds, weakening the ocean ecosystem's resilience to climate change. The problem requires collaboration and innovation for effective removal and prevention, with initiatives like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) leading the way.

Ghost gear constitutes 10% of ocean plastic waste, but a much higher proportion of large plastics on the surface

Ghost gear, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), is a significant contributor to ocean plastic pollution. It is estimated that ghost gear constitutes around 10% of total ocean plastic waste. This includes fishing nets, lines, ropes, traps, and other fishing equipment, often made from durable plastics. While 10% may seem like a relatively small proportion, it is important to note that ghost gear makes up a much larger percentage of large plastics found floating on the ocean's surface.

Fishing gear is designed to trap aquatic organisms, and it continues to do so long after it has been lost or discarded in the ocean. This leads to the entanglement and entrapment of marine animals, including sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has found that ghost gear affects 66% of marine animals, with some species, such as sea turtles, particularly vulnerable to entanglement and ingestion of plastic fishing lines. This results in the slow and painful death of these animals through exhaustion, suffocation, or drowning.

Ghost gear also has a significant impact on fisheries and fisher livelihoods. Commercially valuable species, such as fish, crabs, and lobsters, can get caught in lost traps, causing economic losses and threatening global food security. In some regions, up to 30% of the decline in fish stocks has been attributed to ghost gear. Additionally, ghost gear can damage critical marine habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass meadows, creating barriers and stifling marine life.

The sources of ghost gear are varied and include intentional and unintentional discarding. Illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing is believed to contribute significantly to the issue, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Other factors include conflicts with vessels or other fishing gear, bad weather, extended soak times, and fishing in deep habitats. As global demand for seafood rises, large-scale fishing operations grow, amplifying the presence of ghost gear and its impacts.

Addressing the problem of ghost gear requires collaboration and innovation. Initiatives such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) are working to remove ghost gear from the ocean and prevent more from being lost or abandoned. The private sector can also play a role by developing biodegradable fishing gear or designs that facilitate the separation and recycling of plastics used in the fishing industry. Consumers can contribute by reducing their consumption of seafood, especially from industrial fishing operations, and adopting more sustainable and environmentally friendly food choices.

Ghost gear is any fishing gear that is abandoned, lost or discarded in aquatic environments

Ghost gear, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), is any fishing equipment that has been left in the marine environment. This includes nets, lines, ropes, and traps, which are often made of durable plastics. Ghost gear is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans, with an estimated 500,000 to 1 million tons of fishing gear abandoned in the ocean annually, making up at least 10% of marine litter. It is particularly harmful as it continues to trap and entangle marine animals, leading to their slow and painful death through suffocation or exhaustion.

The impact of ghost gear on marine life and ecosystems is devastating. It physically damages marine habitats, alters the composition of marine sediments, and disrupts feeding and breeding grounds. This, in turn, reduces the resilience of different species, weakening the ocean ecosystem's ability to withstand environmental changes. Studies have shown that over 90% of species trapped in ghost gear have commercial value, and in some regions, ghost gear is responsible for up to 30% of the decline in fish stocks. This has significant economic implications for local fishing communities, who face reduced harvests, increased fishing efforts, and lost fishing time, in addition to the costs of clean-up operations.

The primary sources of ghost gear in the oceans are commercial industrial fishing activities. Gear can be lost due to entanglement on reefs, rocks, or other obstructions, conflicts with vessels or other fishing gear, and bad weather conditions. Extended soak times, fishing in deep habitats, and excessive gear deployment can also increase the likelihood of gear loss. Intentional discarding, including from illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, is another significant contributor to the ghost gear problem, especially in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Addressing the issue of ghost gear requires a multi-faceted approach involving various stakeholders. At the manufacturing stage, the private sector can promote solutions such as biodegradable fishing gear or designs that facilitate the separation and recycling of plastics used in the fishing industry. Consumers can also play a role by reducing their seafood consumption, which indirectly contributes to the demand for industrial fishing and, consequently, the ghost gear issue.

Additionally, collaborative efforts between governments, fishing industry partners, ports, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and intergovernmental organizations are crucial. Initiatives like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), which has over 100 entities, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the US government, are working to drive solutions and prevent fishing gear loss. Educational programs and regulatory measures that promote proper gear disposal and best practices among fishers and gear designers are also essential in mitigating the ghost gear problem.

Ghost gear includes nets, lines, ropes, traps, pots and other fishing equipment

Ghost gear, also known as abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), is a major source of plastic pollution in the oceans. It includes nets, lines, ropes, traps, pots, and other fishing equipment, which is often made of durable plastics. Ghost gear can have severe ecological, economic, and welfare impacts.

Fishing gear is designed to trap aquatic life, and it continues to do so even after it has been discarded or lost in the ocean. This is known as ghost fishing. Nets, lines, and ropes from the fishing industry now make up about 46% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, with an estimated 5.7% of nets, 8.6% of traps and pots, and 29% of lines lost or abandoned globally. This figure is significant, as fishing gear accounts for approximately 10% of all marine debris by volume, and up to 70% of plastics larger than 20cm floating on the ocean's surface.

Ghost gear can enter the water in several ways, including getting snagged on rocks or coral, being cut loose by marine traffic, or being lost during storms. It may also be intentionally discarded, for example, due to a lack of disposal facilities or by illegal fishers trying to hide evidence of their activities. Extended soak times, deep-sea fishing, and excessive gear deployment can also increase the likelihood of gear loss.

The impact of ghost gear is far-reaching and devastating. It entangles and traps marine animals, including turtles, dolphins, sharks, sea birds, and commercially valuable species such as fish, crabs, and lobsters, causing them to suffocate, drown, or starve. It also physically damages marine habitats, alters the composition of marine sediments, disrupts feeding and breeding grounds, and breaks down into microplastics, further polluting the ocean. This, in turn, affects the livelihoods of coastal communities and costs governments millions of dollars annually in clean-up expenses.

To address the issue of ghost gear, various measures have been proposed, including mandatory buy-back schemes, recycling, and the development of biodegradable fishing gear. The Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) is a key organization working to tackle this issue, partnering with governments, NGOs, and industries to find innovative solutions for the removal and prevention of ghost gear pollution.

Ghost gear can result from fishing gear getting entangled on reefs, rocks, and other obstructions, or bad weather

Ghost gear, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), is a significant contributor to the plastic waste in our oceans. It is estimated that ghost gear makes up at least 10% of total ocean plastics, with fishing gear accounting for 500,000 to 1 million tons of plastic waste in the ocean every year.

Ghost gear can result from fishing gear getting entangled on reefs, rocks, and other obstructions, as well as from bad weather. When nets are set and lost on rocky bottoms or coral reefs, they can get snagged and torn, creating larger holes that increase the likelihood of entrapping larger marine animals. This entanglement can lead to the slow and painful death of marine creatures through exhaustion, suffocation, or drowning. It is estimated that entanglement or entrapment by ghost gear affects 66% of marine animals, including all sea turtle species and 50% of seabirds.

Fishing gear can also get entangled on reefs and rocks due to extended soak times, deep-sea fishing, or the deployment of excessive gear that cannot be regularly hauled in. Bad weather can also cause gear to get entangled or lost, as can conflicts with vessels or other fishing gear. Intentional discarding, including from illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing, is also believed to contribute significantly to ghost gear in the sea, particularly in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

The presence of ghost gear in our oceans has severe consequences for marine life and ecosystems. It physically damages marine habitats, alters marine sediments, and disrupts feeding and breeding grounds. It also exacerbates the decline in fish and other commercial aquatic animal populations, with studies showing that over 90% of species trapped in ghost gear have commercial value. The removal of ghost gear is a challenging and costly process, often requiring specialist divers and equipment to cut and winch the nets from fragile reefs without causing further damage.

To address the issue of ghost gear, various solutions have been proposed. These include the development of biodegradable fishing gear, the implementation of buy-back schemes and recycling initiatives, and the creation of traceable fishing gear. Additionally, reducing seafood consumption and transitioning to plant-rich diets can help scale down industrial fishing operations, thereby reducing the impact of ghost gear on the environment.

Ghost gear can be tackled by reducing seafood consumption, which scales down industrial fishing operations

Ghost gear, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), is a significant contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans. It includes nets, lines, ropes, and traps, which are designed to capture aquatic organisms but continue to do so long after they are lost or discarded, entangling and trapping marine animals and damaging critical marine habitats. It is estimated that ghost gear makes up at least 10% of total ocean plastics, with larger plastics over 20 cm in size having fishing gear account for up to 70% by weight.

The primary source of ghost gear in the oceans is commercial industrial fishing. As global demand for seafood rises, large-scale fishing operations expand, amplifying the problem of ghost gear and its impacts. Therefore, reducing seafood consumption can play a crucial role in tackling ghost gear.

Firstly, reducing seafood consumption directly scales down industrial fishing operations. With decreased demand, there will be less pressure on large-scale fishing operations to intensify their activities, reducing the amount of gear they use and, consequently, the amount of gear that is lost, abandoned, or discarded. This is especially important considering that strong currents and severe weather conditions can lead to fishing gear becoming entangled, lost, or washed ashore, increasing the likelihood of it becoming ghost gear.

Secondly, scaling down industrial fishing operations through reduced seafood consumption can indirectly lead to a decrease in ghost gear by providing an opportunity for sustainable small-scale fishing practices to thrive. Small-scale fishing communities often have a sense of pride in doing things the right way and are more careful with their gear, resulting in fewer gear losses. Additionally, with reduced competition from industrial operations, small-scale fishers can more easily adopt sustainable practices, such as biodegradable fishing gear or recycling initiatives, without worrying about increased costs or reduced efficiency.

Finally, reducing seafood consumption can lead to a shift towards plant-rich diets, which have a lower environmental impact and do not contribute to ghost gear. This shift can further alleviate the pressure on marine ecosystems, allowing them to recover and become more resilient to climate change and other disturbances.

In conclusion, by reducing seafood consumption, we can effectively tackle the problem of ghost gear by decreasing the scale of industrial fishing operations, promoting sustainable small-scale fishing, and encouraging environmentally friendly dietary choices. These collective efforts will help protect marine life, conserve ecosystems, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our oceans.

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