GHOST FISHING NETS DO NOT BELONG IN THE OCEAN
REMOVAL OF NETS QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY CAN PREVENT MASSIVE IMPACTS.
Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been cut or come loose from fishing boats. These nets can drift in the ocean or get caught in a coral reef.
We conduct fishing net survey dives and removals when they are discovered. We then collect data from these dives to support the MARsCI project.
During a Marine Conservation Internship, we may find fishing net remains on our dives and you will learn how to remove them safely and collect relevant data for research.
HOW DOES IT WORK ?
Ghost Net
A fishing boat will get its net caught on a coral reef and cut it free from the boat, or a net floats in from the open ocean.
Contact
We will get notified by phone call or post on social media and quickly gather a crew to head out to the affected area.
Removal
Using removal tools, scuba divers carefully remove marine life from the net and gently remove the net from the coral reef.
Disposal
The ghost net is removed from the water and returned for disposal at base to prevent any further damage.
WHY DO FISHING NET REMOVALS ?
Nets are a huge danger for the marine ecosystem as when they cover a reef, everything in the reef system gets trapped. Fish and invertebrates get caught in the net structure, and corals get broken or covered over.
If left remaining in the ocean, the ghost net can devastate the health of a coral reef, so it needs to be removed safely, quickly and carefully to minimize further damage to the environment.
The trick is to be very careful in removal and not to rush. Taking more time will cause less damage.
GHOST NET FACTS
Ghost nets are responsible for killing millions of marine creatures each year. Sharks, Turtles, Rays, Dolphins and Whales are all part of this huge number.
If a fishing net covers the coral, the coral will essentially suffocate and die over a short period of time. A whole reef can be destroyed in less than a week if a ghost net is left on it.
Most nets are now made of plastic, which means another impact to our ocean. These nets are the most difficult to remove due to their thin structure that get in between coral branches.
GET INVOLVED !
Fishing Net Removal dives don’t happen all the time. In fact, we are pleased about this!
But if a ghost net is discovered, we need to be ready and you would be joining on the dives as part of a Marine Conservation Internship.
You will learn the skills before entering the water and have an experienced buddy to help remove marine life and remove the net to ensure each other work safely and effective to get rid of the ghost net.
Lets rid the ocean of ghost nets!
GET MORE INFO !
If you have questions, about any of our projects, citizen science, research, volunteering, internships or training.
Please get in touch with us!