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Sea Shepherd launches new Ghostnet campaign

Listen to this article Sea Shepherd’s official website has announced the launch of a new campaign in the Ghostnet series. Once again, abandoned and broken ghost nets, which still pose a huge threat to sea creatures and divers, will be retrieved from the water. This time it will be the first such action organised by

ByTomasz Andrukajtis

Published: January 15, 2018 - 18:07

Updated: July 22, 2023 - 16:20

Sea Shepherd launches new Ghostnet campaign

Listen to this article

Sea Shepherd’s official website has announced the launch of a new campaign in the Ghostnet series. Once again, abandoned and broken ghost nets, which still pose a huge threat to sea creatures and divers, will be retrieved from the water. This time it will be the first such action organised by the UK branch of the association.

It will cover the coasts of England, Scotland and Wales. The aim of the participants will be to retrieve as many abandoned nets and other fishing and fishing tackle that pose a risk in UK waters. The broken pieces of net, often of enormous size, are a deadly trap for animals and people.

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Drifting freely in the depths, entwining wrecks, rocks and reefs, they grasp in a death grip anything that unwisely comes within their reach. Worse still, forgotten, unchecked, they can pose a danger for years, even decades.

The operation will involve experienced divers and four Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) from Sea Shepherd UK. The first actions have already been carried out on the north coast of Wales and now the action will slowly be extended to the other areas, as the association has already received all the necessary permits.

About how big the problem is regarding ghost nets in UK waters, unfortunately there is no data. What is certain is that the fight against the problem is only just beginning and it will take a lot of effort and time for the situation to improve. But you have to start somewhere and fortunately the first steps have already been taken.

Sea Shepherd UK is working with the authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to make this a long-term project, with which it intends to make a significant difference in tackling the threat posed by ghost networks.

As there are many of our compatriots living in the British Isles, and among them not a few divers, we would like to inform you that you can report any cases of broken or abandoned ghost nets to the following e-mail address: [email protected].

Source: seashepherdglobal.org

About author

Tomasz Andrukajtis

Editor-in-chief of the DIVERS24 portal and magazine. Responsible for obtaining, translating and developing content. He also supervises all publications. Achived his first diving certification – P1 CMAS, in 2000. Has a degree in journalism and social communication. In the diving industry since 2008.