Wildlife

Ghost Gear and Marine Animal Welfare

Abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear continues to catch and kill marine animals long after abandonment. Ghost gear removal is a high-impact welfare and conservation intervention.

Key Facts

An estimated 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear is lost or abandoned in the ocean annually
Ghost gear continues fishing for years or decades, entangling seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals, and fish
Derelict crab pots can continue catching and killing crabs for 10+ years after loss
The Global Ghost Gear Initiative coordinates removal efforts and responsible gear disposal across the fishing industry

Welfare Considerations

Ghost gear causes ongoing welfare harm long after its original use. Animals entangle, drown, and die in abandoned nets, lines, and pots without any human benefit. Preventing gear loss through better gear marking, recovery incentives, and responsible end-of-life disposal, combined with active removal of ghost gear from the ocean floor and water column, reduces ongoing welfare harm to enormous numbers of marine animals.

What You Can Do

Support organizations removing ghost gear from the ocean including the Global Ghost Gear Initiative
Advocate for fishery regulations requiring gear marking and recovery incentive programs
Participate in coastal cleanup events that recover ghost gear before it reaches deeper waters
Choose seafood from fisheries with certified low gear loss rates and responsible gear disposal practices