Damon Mcknight
Ghost nets, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, are a form of plastic pollution that poses a significant threat to marine life. In Australia, ghost nets have been found in various locations, with a particular concentration in the northern regions of the country. The Gulf of Carpentaria, the Torres Strait, and the northern beaches, coastal waters, and communities of Australia have been identified as areas where ghost nets frequently wash up, endangering marine life and the environment. The accumulation of ghost nets in these regions has sparked concerns and efforts to address the issue through initiatives, research, and collaboration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern Australia, Gulf of Carpentaria, Torres Strait, Western Australia's southern coast |
| Origin | Most nets found in Northern Australia originate from outside Australian jurisdiction, particularly Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia |
| Size | Nets can be several hundred meters or even kilometers long and weigh several tonnes |
| Impact | Ghost nets are considered one of the most damaging types of plastic pollution, endangering marine life such as fish, turtles, dolphins, sharks, and birds |
| Response | The Australian government has initiatives and partnerships focused on detecting, removing, and recycling ghost nets, with an emphasis on Northern Australia |
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What You'll Learn
- Ghost nets are commonly found in northern Australia
- They pose a threat to marine life and birds
- They are lost or abandoned fishing nets drifting through the ocean
- They are mostly found along Australia's northern coastline
- The Australian government has launched the Ghost Nets Initiative to tackle the issue
Ghost nets are commonly found in northern Australia
The impact of ghost nets on marine life in northern Australia is severe, with fish, turtles, dolphins, and even sharks frequently becoming entangled and killed. The nets can be kilometres long and weigh several tonnes, making them a formidable obstacle for marine creatures. The Australian government has launched initiatives to tackle the issue, including the Ghost Nets Initiative, which aims to address ghost nets and plastic litter in the waters and beaches of northern Australia.
Indigenous Ranger groups across northern Australia are at the forefront of the battle against ghost nets, cleaning up the hundreds of nets that wash up annually. The OceanEarth Foundation is also actively working to address the problem, partnering with organisations in Indonesia to scale up net recycling programs and develop a national plan of action to address ghost gear and recreational fishing litter. The foundation has also led studies focused on finding sustainable solutions for recycling or disposing of ghost nets in northern Australia.
The safe and environmentally sound disposal of ghost nets in remote areas of northern Australia is challenging. Some nets are burnt in situ, while others are taken to local landfills, neither of which is an ideal solution. Efforts are being made to explore alternative disposal methods, such as remanufacturing and creating new products from the collected nets to benefit Indigenous communities in the region. Additionally, the use of GPS tracking devices is being implemented to enhance the detection and retrieval of ghost nets drifting in Australian waters.
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They pose a threat to marine life and birds
Ghost nets are a serious threat to marine life and birds. They are abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing nets that drift through the ocean, continuing to indiscriminately catch marine animals. These nets do not stop working just because they are no longer used by fishers. They trap and kill a significant number of marine animals every year, including fish, sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, rays, bony fish, whales, crustaceans, and seabirds. Birds and marine mammals can drown as they are unable to rise to the water surface for air.
Ghost nets also harm coral reefs by breaking corals, exposing them to disease, and blocking them from necessary sunlight. They are a major contributor to the ocean plastics crisis, as most modern nets are made of nylon or other plastic compounds that can last for centuries. Marine animals often mistake the resulting microplastics for food, causing internal organ damage, starvation, and exposure to toxic chemicals.
In Australia, ghost nets are commonly found across the northern coastline, where international fishing boats operate, and they pose a risk to marine life. More than 90% of ghost nets washing up across northern Australia originate from overseas, with most being from trawl fisheries, followed by gillnets. Indigenous Ranger groups across northern Australia are burdened with cleaning up the hundreds of ghost nets that wash up every year.
While most ghost nets in Australia are found in the north, they have also been discovered in other parts of the country, such as the southern coast of Western Australia. This unusual discovery sparked concern for the impact of ghost nets on local marine life. Ghost nets are a global problem, and their detection and removal in Australian waters require a collaborative effort involving various government agencies and organisations.
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They are lost or abandoned fishing nets drifting through the ocean
Ghost nets are lost or abandoned fishing nets that drift through the ocean, wreaking havoc on marine life. They are a global issue, but in Australia, they are predominantly found in the northern waters, impacting remote communities and the environment.
The Australian government has acknowledged the problem of ghost nets, with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment taking responsibility for managing this harmful marine debris. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority also plays a role in addressing marine pollution and ensuring safe navigation.
The majority of ghost nets found in northern Australia originate from overseas, with analysis showing that 42% are from trawl fisheries and 34% from gillnets. These nets, often several hundred metres long, drift unchecked, entangling marine animals and causing injury or death.
To combat this issue, the government has launched the Ghost Nets Initiative, investing in innovative technology and solutions for detection, collection, transport, and responsible disposal. GPS tracking devices are attached to ghost nets to monitor their movement and facilitate retrieval. Additionally, the government has funded grants worth over $3 million to support projects aimed at detecting, removing, and disposing of marine debris in northern Australia.
The OceanEarth Foundation is also actively addressing the issue of ghost nets in Australia. They are working with partners in Indonesia to develop a program for net recycling and collaborating with OzFish to create a national plan of action to address ghost gear and litter from recreational fishing.
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They are mostly found along Australia's northern coastline
Ghost nets are mostly found along Australia's northern coastline, in areas such as the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Torres Strait, and the Arafura and Timor Seas. These waters are recognised as a global marine debris 'hot spot' due to the accumulation of marine debris, including ghost nets, which are often lost or abandoned fishing nets. The Indigenous Ranger groups across northern Australia are tasked with cleaning up the hundreds of ghost nets that wash up on their shores annually.
The data collected over ten years by Indigenous Rangers through the OceanEarth Foundation's GhostNets Australia program revealed that more than 90% of ghost nets found in northern Australia originate from overseas. The thickness, colour, and size of the net can help identify its source. Nets originating from countries north of Australia, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and other parts of Southeast Asia, have been found in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the Torres Strait.
The Australian government has launched initiatives to tackle the issue of ghost nets in northern Australia, such as the Ghost Nets Initiative, which aims to address the impact of ghost nets and plastic litter in the waters and beaches of this region. The government has also funded grants worth over $3 million to help detect, remove, and dispose of marine debris in northern Australia. Additionally, the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and its partner agencies work to protect Australia's biodiversity and resources by tracking and retrieving ghost nets in Australian and adjacent waters.
The safe disposal of ghost nets in remote areas of northern Australia is challenging. Some nets are burnt in situ, while others are taken to local landfills, neither of which is considered an appropriate solution. Organisations like the OceanEarth Foundation are working towards finding recycling solutions and creating new products from the collected nets to benefit Indigenous communities in the region.
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The Australian government has launched the Ghost Nets Initiative to tackle the issue
Ghost nets, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), are a significant environmental concern in Australia, particularly in northern Australia and the Gulf of Carpentaria. These nets, often made of plastic, drift in the ocean, entangling marine life and causing harm to vulnerable and endangered species, such as turtles.
In response to this issue, the Australian government has launched the Ghost Nets Initiative, delivered by Parks Australia, to address the challenge posed by ghost nets and plastic litter in the waters and beaches of northern Australia. The initiative, which runs until June 2024, involves partnerships with government agencies, Indigenous organisations, and other key stakeholders.
The Ghost Nets Initiative focuses on several key activities. Firstly, it aims to deliver new technology to better detect, collect, and dispose of ghost nets. This includes the use of GPS tracking devices to track the movement of ghost nets and arrange for their retrieval by an appropriate vessel. Secondly, the initiative works with Indigenous ranger groups to collect data on the source of ghost nets and coordinate retrievals and marine debris beach cleanups in the Gulf of Carpentaria, a hotspot for ghost nets.
Furthermore, the initiative involves conducting trials to attach GPS tracking devices to ghost nets when initial retrieval is not possible due to unsafe conditions. This ensures the nets can be continually tracked and safely retrieved. The Australian government has committed up to $14.8 million over four years to support these efforts, including funding for the Ghost Nets Innovative Solutions grant program.
The Ghost Nets Initiative builds on the work of Indigenous communities, environmental groups, and private industry, who have long been advocating for action on ghost nets. It also complements the efforts of organisations like OceanEarth Foundation, which is working on recycling solutions and partnering with Indonesia to address the issue at its source.
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Frequently asked questions
Ghost nets are usually found in the northern waters of Australia, particularly in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Ghost nets are abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing nets that continue to catch marine life, causing injury or death.
Ghost nets have been found to entangle and harm several marine species in Australia, including sea turtles, dolphins, whales, and sea lions.
The Australian government has launched initiatives such as the Ghost Nets Initiative and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative to tackle ghost nets and plastic litter in northern Australia. They are also working with indigenous communities and organizations like the OceanEarth Foundation to increase awareness and find long-term solutions.
The public can help by reporting sightings of ghost nets to organizations like Parks Australia and providing details such as the location, description, and photos of the net.
