Every year, countless fishing nets are lost or abandoned in our oceans, turning into silent killers that wreak havoc on marine ecosystems. Known as ghost fishing, this phenomenon continues to trap and harm sea life long after human activity has ceased, creating a persistent threat that impacts biodiversity and ocean health worldwide. Understanding the types of nets used in fishing reveals how these tools, when lost or discarded, become dangerous remnants that endanger marine life.
What are trawling nets and fishermen’s nets?
Fishing sustains millions of people worldwide, providing essential food and livelihoods across communities. Trawling nets, for example, are massive, heavy-duty nets designed to capture large quantities of fish by being dragged along the ocean floor or through open water—a method that maximises yields but comes with significant environmental costs.
On the other hand, fishermen’s nets refer to smaller-scale nets used in more traditional fishing methods. However, when these nets get lost or abandoned, they become deadly debris known as ghost nets.
What is ghost fishing?
Ghost fishing occurs when abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear—commonly referred to as "ghost nets"—continues to trap marine life without human control.
These ghost nets include not only small nets but also large trawling nets, dolly ropes (chafers from trawling), cords, lines, fish traps, and other gear left adrift in the ocean.
Floating aimlessly, these "silent predators" ensnare fish, turtles, dolphins, and countless other marine creatures, causing injuries and death with no end in sight.
Why are fishing nets bad for the environment?
Fishing nets in the ocean don’t just vanish when they’re lost. They turn into a persistent environmental hazard, harming marine animals, destroying coral reefs, and breaking down into microplastics.
The problem with ghost netting is that it’s not just killing marine life; it’s poisoning our oceans with plastic pollution.
Fishing nets and animals
Lost fishing nets act like invisible traps for marine life. Fish, seals, sea turtles, and even whales get entangled in these ghost nets, often leading to injury, suffocation, or starvation.
A staggering number of animals are killed each year due to abandoned ocean fishing nets, which continue to do what they were made to do—trap and kill.
In 2018, it was reported that up to 650 000 marine animals are killed by ghost nets every year. (1)
Fishing nets and coral reefs
When fishing nets in the ocean end up drifting into coral reefs, they get tangled up in the delicate coral structures. These heavy nets can break corals apart, causing massive damage to vital ecosystems that are already struggling.
Coral reefs are crucial to marine biodiversity, and when ocean net fishing equipment gets caught in them, it’s like throwing a wrecking ball at a fragile building.
Increasing areas of entangled fishing lines in branching coral colonies showed an increase in colony mortality. (2)
Fishing nets and microplastics
Do fishing nets cause microplastics? Absolutely.
Ghost nets are made of tough, durable plastics. Over time, exposure to sunlight and saltwater causes these nets to degrade into microplastics.
These tiny particles enter the food chain, with fish consuming them, and eventually, humans. So yes, ghost fishing nets don’t just kill marine animals—they leave a trail of plastic pollution that affects everyone.
Do fishing nets decompose?
The short answer: not really. Ocean fishing nets are typically made from materials like nylon and polyethylene, which can take hundreds of years to break down. Even when they do decompose, they don’t disappear but break into smaller microplastic particles.
Initiatives to help against ghost fishing
The good news? Many organisations are actively working to address this crisis.
Organisations taking direct action
One major player is The Ocean Cleanup, which is on a mission to remove plastic from our oceans. They’re focusing on intercepting and collecting ghost nets and other plastic debris before they reach critical ecosystems.
Similarly, Sea Shepherd and their Ghost Network take direct action by removing ghost nets from marine environments. Their teams venture out to physically retrieve nets and help protect vulnerable ecosystems.
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Organisations campaigning against ghost nets
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has launched campaigns like Stopping Ghost Gear to combat abandoned fishing gear. They’re raising awareness and working with policymakers to prevent further loss of nets in our oceans.
New Types of Fishing Nets Developed
Innovative solutions are emerging to tackle the problem of ghost fishing at the source, and one example is Catch Green.
This African company has introduced a biodegradable fishing net designed to break down without releasing microplastics or toxins into the environment.
Their product offers a sustainable alternative to conventional nets, aiming to reduce marine plastic waste by providing a fishing net that, once lost, biodegrades naturally without harming marine life.
Re-using materials by turning ghost nets into something positive
But what happens to these collected ghost nets? Innovators and brands are finding creative ways to repurpose them. Reclaimed ghost nets are now being transformed into bags, shoes, clothing, and even swimwear. By repurposing these fibers, brands turn harmful waste into durable, functional products.
Boavista Circular solution
At UpHavin, we are incredibly proud to host a committed independent brand like Boavista Circular.
Founded by Flavia Reinert, a Brazilian environmentalist and artist, Boavista Circular crafts eco-conscious products using rescued fishing nets.
One of their standout products is an eco-friendly sponge designed to keep highly pollutant, petroleum-derived materials out of our oceans and protect marine life.
These durable sponges are hand-sewn by women in Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil, providing a sustainable income source for low-income communities. The result? A planet-friendly cleaning alternative that lasts up to two years, combining practicality with purpose.
Sources:
(1) https://www.nrdc.org/sites/default/files/mammals-foreign-fisheries-report.pdf
(2) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S014111362030581X
