Ghost fishing gear, formally known as abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), is one of the most severe forms of plastic pollution affecting the global marine environment. This debris poses a major threat because it is purpose-built to capture and kill marine life, often continuing its function for decades after being lost. It is estimated that between 500,000 and 1 million tons of fishing gear are lost annually, making up roughly 10% of all marine litter by weight. This volume of derelict gear severely impacts ocean health, fish stocks, and the economic well-being of coastal communities.
Defining Ghost Fishing Gear
Ghost gear is any fishing equipment, such as nets, lines, ropes, pots, and traps, that is no longer under the control of a fisher or vessel. These items are made of durable, synthetic plastics that can take centuries to break down. The term “ghost fishing” describes the continuous destructive cycle that occurs when this gear remains active in the marine environment.
The most common and damaging types of ghost gear are gillnets and traps or pots. These items are problematic because they are designed to passively capture marine life, a function they continue to perform long after being lost. Lost traps often become “self-baiting,” where a trapped animal dies and attracts new scavengers, perpetuating the catching cycle. Nets can drift or become snagged, creating indiscriminate death traps.
Ecological Damage Caused by Ghost Gear
The primary consequence of ghost gear is the indiscriminate entanglement and mortality of marine life, including endangered and commercially valuable species. Lost nets and lines ensnare megafauna such as whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles. Entangled animals often suffer from suffocation, exhaustion, or starvation due to restricted movement.
Ghost gear also causes widespread physical destruction to sensitive underwater habitats. Heavy gear, such as trawl nets, can drag across the seabed, damaging and smothering slow-growing ecosystems. Coral reefs and seagrass beds are particularly vulnerable to this impact, which disrupts the delicate balance of these biodiverse environments.
As the synthetic gear degrades, it fragments into smaller pieces, contributing to the global microplastic pollution crisis. Ghost gear makes up a large percentage of the macro-plastics in the ocean by weight. These particles break down and enter the food web, posing risks to marine organisms and potentially human health.
Global Sources and Pathways
Gear loss results from various operational and environmental factors affecting fishers worldwide. A significant portion of gear loss is accidental, caused by severe weather, strong currents, or gear snagging on underwater obstructions. Collisions with other vessels and entanglement with other fishing gear also contribute to accidental loss.
Operational factors, such as the high cost of retrieval or disposal, can lead to gear being left behind. While most fishers do not intentionally discard gear, abandonment occurs, particularly during illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing to avoid detection. Because of the transboundary nature of ocean currents, gear lost in one region can travel thousands of miles, spreading the problem globally.
Strategies for Removal and Prevention
Addressing ghost gear requires a dual approach focusing on active removal and long-term prevention. Organized retrieval efforts involve specialized teams, non-governmental organizations, and local fishers who actively locate and recover lost gear. These operations often utilize technology like sonar and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to efficiently locate large gear accumulations on the seabed and in drifting patches.
On the prevention side, several strategies are being implemented globally to reduce gear loss at its source:
- Technological solutions include using biodegradable panels or twines in traps and nets, which deactivate the gear if it is lost.
- Policy measures promote gear marking to establish ownership, incentivizing fishers to retrieve lost equipment.
- Take-back schemes and port-based recycling programs offer fishers convenient options for disposing of old or damaged gear.