Ghost Fishing: Abandoned Nets That Continue to Kill in Silence

Every year, more than 640,000 tons of fishing nets are abandoned in the oceans, creating a phenomenon known as “ghost fishing.” These nets continue to trap and kill marine life for decades, becoming one of the most insidious threats to ocean ecosystems. By 2025, combating this invisible plague has become a global priority, with technological innovations and new policies seeking to address this underwater crisis.

The Scale of the Problem: Alarming Figures

Oceanic Inventory of Ghost Nets

• Lost/Abandoned Nets: 10% of all marine plastic debris
• Degradation Time: 600 years for nylon nets
• Critical Areas:
  • Mediterranean Sea: 250,000 documented ghost nets
  • North Pacific Ocean: 46% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is nets
  • Southeast Asia: 1 net per 2 km² in intensive fishing areas

Impact on Marine Species

• Marine Mammals: 300,000 annual deaths due to entanglement
• Turtles: 45% of threatened species affected
• Seabirds: 90% of birds have plastic in their stomachs, much of it from nets
• Commercial Fish: 5-30% population reduction in affected areas

How Does Ghost Fishing Occur?

Main Causes

1. Extreme weather conditions: Storms that tear off nets
2. Conflicts between fishermen: Intentional cuts in competitive areas
3. Illegal fishing: Rapid abandonment of nets before inspections
4. Defective equipment: Tears that make recovery impossible
5. Lack of port facilities: For recycling old nets

Ongoing Death Mechanism

• “Curtain” effect: Vertical nets trap fish for years
• Bait cycle: Dead animals attract new predators
• Fragmentation: They become microplastics ingested throughout the food chain

Innovative Technologies to Combat the Problem

Detection and Location

• Multibeam sonar: Identifies nets on the seabed at depths of up to 200m
• Underwater drones (AUVs): Autonomously map large areas
• AI-powered satellites: Detect patterns suggestive of illegal fishing
• Smart buoys: GPS markers for legitimate nets

Recovery and Cleanup

• Underwater Cutting Robots: Designed specifically for nets
• Specialized Vessels: Equipped with cranes and processing platforms
• Volunteer Divers: Coordinated operations in coastal areas

Significant Projects 2025

• Ocean Cleanup’s “Ghost Gear”: An autonomous recovery system
• WWF-Mediterranean “Net Patrol”: 1,200 tons recovered in 2024
• “Healthy Seas”: An initiative involving fishermen in cleanup efforts

Transformation of Recovered Nets

Circular Economy of Nets

• Recycling Process:
  1. Cleaning and sorting by polymer type
  2. Shredding into small flakes
  3. Melting and extruding into new yarn
  4. Weaving into valuable products

Innovative Products

• Sportswear: Swimwear, footwear (Econyl®)
• Street Furniture: Benches, fences, playgrounds
• Accessories: Sunglasses, watches, Backpacks
• Construction Materials: Insulation, Composites

Leading Recycling Brands

• Aquafil: 50,000 tons/year of nets processed
• Bureo: 200 tons/month in Latin America
• Fishy Filaments: Specializing in commercial fishing nets

Policies and Regulations Changing the Landscape

Internationally

• Global Plastics Agreement (2024): Includes specific commitments on nets
• FAO Guidelines: Mandatory net marking by 2027
• Global Ghost Gear Initiative: 100 participating countries

In the European Union

• Single-Use Plastics Directive: Extended producer responsibility
• Blue Economy Fund: €500M for innovation in sustainable fishing
• Mandatory Reception Ports: All ports must accept old nets

The Critical Role of Fishermen

Incentive Programs

• Net disposal: Similar to returnable bottles
• Cheaper insurance: For fishermen with good practices
• Premium certifications: Products with a “ghost gear free” seal

Environmentally Friendly Technologies

• Biodegradable nets: Made of polylactic acid (PLA) that degrade in 2-5 years
• Location devices: Markers that allow for recovery
• Buoyant materials: Nets that float if lost

The Economic Impact of Ghost Fishing

Losses for the Fishing Industry

• Lost catches: $750 million annually in untapped resources
• Equipment damage: $250 million in propeller and motor repairs
• Cleanup costs: $350 million for port authorities

Impact on Related Sectors

• Tourism: Contaminated beaches, diving in degraded areas
• Marine insurance: Higher premiums in affected areas
• Conservation: $1.2 billion in rescue efforts Wildlife

Citizen Initiatives and Participatory Science

Reporting Programs

• “GhostNet Reporter” App: Anyone can report sighted nets
• Coastal Volunteer Network: Regular beach monitoring
• School Projects: Early education about the problem

Collaborative Science

• Collective Mapping: Open location platforms
• Brand Identification: Traceability back to the original manufacturer
• Impact Studies: Volunteers collect data on entangled animals

The Future: Towards an Ocean Free of Ghost Nets

Developing Technologies

• Smart Nets: With sensors that indicate position and condition
• Biomarkers: That attract only target species
• Programmable Materials: That disintegrate after a set time

Goals for 2030

• 50% reduction in new ghost nets
• 30% recovery of existing nets
• Circular Economy: 75% of nets recycled at the end of their life Useful

Priority Research

• Accelerated Degradation: Fungi and Bacteria that Break Down Polymers
• Regenerative Design: Nets that Improve Habitats as They Degrade
• Real-Time Satellite Monitoring Systems

“An abandoned net is like leaving a bear trap in a forest for centuries. The difference is that underwater we don’t see the damage until it’s too late.” — Carlos Duarte, oceanographer.