Fisheries & oceans
Guidance for reducing ghost gear and derelict fishing nets that threaten marine wildlife and navigation.
This evergreen guide explains practical, field‑tested steps communities and fishers can take to prevent, report, and remove abandoned nets and gear, protecting ecosystems, seabirds, turtles, and ships while supporting sustainable fisheries and safer coasts.
July 18, 2025 - 3 min Read
Ghost gear and derelict nets drift through oceans with little warning, entangling wildlife, damaging coral, and posing hazards to navigation. They originate from abandoned or lost fishing gear, from discarded nets to old creels and rope, and can persist for years in busy fishing zones. Addressing this problem requires coordinated action among fishers, port authorities, scientists, and policy makers. Practical measures start with prevention: durable tagging, secure storage, and responsible disposal or recycling programs at harbors. Second, there must be systematic removal efforts, funded and scheduled, to minimize collateral harm to marine habitats. Community awareness campaigns lay the groundwork for sustained engagement and accountability.
A successful reduction strategy hinges on reliable reporting channels and clear responsibilities. Fishermen on the water are often the first to notice rogue gear, making easy access to reporting tools essential. Municipalities and coast guards should implement hotlines, apps, or simple forms that capture location, gear type, and estimated entanglement risk. Data collection helps map hotspots and prioritizes cleanups. Importantly, penalties for illegal disposal must be enforceable, consistent, and fair, encouraging adherence without stigmatizing fishers who practice lawful, sustainable methods. Partnerships with research institutions can verify gear types, assess environmental damage, and monitor wildlife interactions to guide future interventions.
Community engagement and policy alignment for durable change.
Prevention begins at the harbor, where gear management policies can dramatically reduce losses. Install secure nets storage, ensure routine inspections of gear inventories, and provide labeled containers for worn lines and net remnants. Incentives for responsible disposal, such as discounts on new nets or deposits returned upon recycling, motivate compliance. When gear is lost or discarded at sea, vessels should follow standardized procedures for reporting and marking data. Shore facilities can then coordinate rapid retrieval missions, using trained divers or surface vessels equipped with nets reels and grappling hooks. Early action minimizes entanglement risk and damage to seabed communities.
Cleanups must be systematic and science-informed to protect ecosystems while delivering results. Before any removal operation, teams survey the area to identify sensitive habitats and protected species, so procedures minimize disturbance. They map currents, depth, and substrate to predict where gear may accumulate, guiding targeted retrievals. Safety protocols for divers and crew are nonnegotiable, including weather checks, buddy systems, and emergency plans. Collaboration with local stakeholders ensures community buy-in and occupational safety. After removal, recovered gear should be cataloged and recycled when possible, diverting materials from landfills and reducing waste across coastal economies.
Practical, deployable actions for fleets and shore services.
Communities that invest in education and inclusive outreach see the strongest reductions in ghost gear. Schools, fishery clubs, and coastal associations can host demonstrations on gear handling, repair, and proper disposal, turning knowledge into practice. Public exhibitions of recovered nets raise awareness among residents and visitors, highlighting the tangible benefits of responsible fishing. Policy alignment between regional authorities, port authorities, and fishing cooperatives ensures that enforcement isn’t punitive but constructive. Clear guidelines on gear recovery responsibilities, reporting timelines, and funding streams help sustain momentum. Transparent reporting and open-access data encourage trust and accountability across sectors.
Economic incentives tied to environmental performance reinforce long-term behavior change. Timely subsidies or tax relief for gear upgrades that reduce loss rates can shift procurement choices toward more durable, recoverable equipment. Certification schemes for vessels meeting ghost gear reduction targets provide market advantages in seafood supply chains. Banks and insurers can offer favorable terms to operators engaging in cooperative cleanup programs, further aligning economic and ecological interests. International collaboration across neighboring fleets builds resilience against transboundary gear issues. Shared standards for gear marking and recovery facilitate cross-border coordination and data exchange.
Balancing safety, conservation, and livelihoods in recovery work.
Fleets can adopt standardized loss reporting at sea, recording GPS coordinates, time, weather, and gear type. This data stream informs port authorities about risk zones and prioritizes cleanup logistics. Equally important are rapid response teams equipped with light, modular gear that can be deployed from small boats or shore facilities. Training programs for crew members emphasize retrieval techniques that minimize bycatch and habitat disturbance. Shore services should maintain dedicated storage for recovered material, with clearly labeled categories for nylon, polyethylene, rope, and metal components to streamline recycling. By integrating reporting with retrieval, communities create a feedback loop that strengthens stewardship.
Technology can accelerate progress without compromising livelihoods. Low-cost sonar or sonar-like depth readers help locate submerged nets, especially in turbid water where visibility is poor. Drones equipped with cameras can survey shoreline and shallow banks for entangled wildlife and debris, guiding divers to hotspots. Simple tagging systems on gear facilitate owner identification, enabling accountability when gear is recovered. Data sharing platforms allow researchers and managers to access up-to-date maps of ghost gear presence. Training in data interpretation ensures decision-makers deploy resources where they matter most, reducing waste and protecting marine life.
Long-term visions for cleaner oceans and safer navigation.
Safety remains the top priority during any retrieval operation. Operators should conduct risk assessments before entry into water, implement confined-space protocols when handling heavy nets, and maintain search and rescue readiness. Personal protective equipment, such as gloves, cut-resistant sleeves, and buoyant suits, reduces injury risk. Clear communication between vessel crews and dive teams is essential. Recovery missions must respect seasonal migrations and spawning periods, avoiding disturbance of critical life stages. Environmental safeguards include minimizing seabed disruption and avoiding sensitive coral or seagrass habitats. When in doubt, teams should temporarily suspend work and reassess conditions to protect both people and wildlife.
Rehabilitation of affected habitats should accompany gear removal when feasible. After entanglement incidents, responders can support rescuing and rehabilitating affected animals with veterinary care and rehabilitation facilities. Restoration efforts may include reseeding seagrass beds or stabilizing sediment to promote quick recovery. Monitoring programs track ecological responses over time, informing adaptive management. Engaging volunteers in survey work builds public support and spreads practical knowledge about ecosystem recovery. Transparent reporting on outcomes helps stakeholders understand progress and sustain motivation for ongoing improvements.
A durable solution blends local action with regional and national policy. Governments can adopt ambitious targets for ghost gear reduction, support long-term financing for cleanup initiatives, and require gear manufacturers to participate in end-of-life programs. Port authorities can mandate take-back schemes and provide technical assistance to small-scale fishers implementing proper disposal. Regional collaborations enable shared data platforms, joint training, and coordinated cleanup campaigns, multiplying impact. Civil society organizations contribute by monitoring compliance, documenting success stories, and advocating for stronger protections. When communities see measurable progress, participation becomes a moral and practical choice rather than an optional extra.
The path to sustainable fisheries and safer seas is a communal effort. Every stakeholder—from skippers to policymakers, researchers to students—has a role in halting ghost gear. By prioritizing prevention, rapid reporting, effective cleanup, and habitat restoration, we can reduce wildlife harm and navigation risks while supporting resilient coastal economies. The most successful programs combine simple, replicable practices with innovative technologies, financial incentives, and open data. As gear becomes less disposable and more recoverable, the ocean grows healthier, seabird and marine mammal populations rebound, and communities gain confidence in their stewardship of the sea for generations to come.
