Ghost nets (derelict fishing gear) and their effects on marine life

Characteristics and behavior

Derelict gear drifts with currents, becomes suspended in the water column, or becomes caught on reefs and rocky outcrops. A lost fishing net may float freely on the surface or sink and become anchored to a rock or wreck. While they remain active, nets continue to capture fish and other marine life. Entangled organisms often exhaust, starve, or suffer injury, and trapped carcasses can attract scavengers that themselves become trapped. Because many nets are made of durable plastic, they can persist for years to decades and contribute to microplastic pollution as they fragment.

Environmental and economic impacts

Ghost nets harm biodiversity by killing mammals, seabirds, turtles, crustaceans and fish. They damage sensitive habitats such as coral reefs and seagrass beds by abrasion and smothering. Beyond ecological loss, derelict gear has economic consequences: lost catch, gear replacement costs, and negative effects on tourism and coastal livelihoods. Some dead zones of concentrated debris are associated with major current systems and ocean gyres.

Distribution and notable findings

Large accumulations of marine debris exist within subtropical gyres. Research into the North Pacific accumulation — often called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch — indicates much of the mass is composed of fishing nets and related gear rather than small consumer items alone. A mix of lost equipment from commercial fleets, abandoned gear from small-scale fisheries, accidental losses in storms, and illegal discarding all contribute to the pool of derelict gear.

Prevention and mitigation

• Improved gear marking and reporting to help identify and recover lost equipment.
• Design changes such as biodegradable materials or weaker linkages that limit long-term ghost fishing.
• Active retrieval programs, volunteer cleanups, and targeted removal operations by fisheries and conservation groups.
• Regulatory measures and international cooperation to reduce abandonment and promote responsible disposal.

Research, policy and public awareness

Scientists, fishery managers and NGOs study where gear is lost and which strategies best reduce harm. Solutions range from engineering alternatives and closed-loop recycling to incentive schemes for returning gear. Public awareness campaigns, port reception facilities and collaboration with fishers can reduce future losses. For further information see resources on marine debris and derelict fishing gear: ocean pollution, wildlife impacts, and international summaries of marine plastic studies such as reports addressing the Pacific accumulation and other hotspots (Pacific Ocean reports and surveys). Additional technical and policy references are available through research portals and conservation organizations (plastic debris studies, materials science, fishery impacts).

Addressing ghost nets requires combining field removal, better gear design, enforcement of existing rules, and cooperation across national boundaries to reduce the long-lived, lethal legacy of derelict fishing gear.