The ocean isn’t just haunted during Halloween. Beneath the surface, ghosts linger throughout the year. Under the waves, every day, ghost nets – lost and abandoned fishing gear – silently choke marine wildlife.
The Cuddly Pets of Komodo and B612 Studio have supported Sea Shepherd making this clear…
Entrapment
Ghost nets pose a serious risk to marine animals, including fish, turtles, seals, and dolphins, which can become ensnared in these abandoned nets. Once entangled, these animals often struggle in vain to free themselves, leading to exhaustion and drowning. In many cases, entrapment leads to a slow, painful death.
Habitat Destruction
Ghost nets are particularly harmful to fragile marine ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrass beds. Coral reefs may suffer from physical damage as nets can break off fragile structures, while seagrass beds, crucial for nursery areas for many fish, can be destroyed. The loss of these habitats not only affects the species that rely on them but also has long-term repercussions on the overall health of the ocean.
Pollution
In addition to their direct impact on wildlife, ghost nets contribute to ocean pollution on a larger scale. Over time, these nets degrade into smaller pieces, breaking down into microplastics. These microplastics can be ingested by marine organisms, from the smallest plankton to larger predators, accumulating in their bodies. When humans consume these animals, they risk ingesting these toxic residues, linking ocean pollution directly to human health concerns.
“Ghostnets, lost and discarded industrial fishing gear pose a serious threat to our ocean.
The facts are clear, but we keep on rationally ignoring them.
That’s why we need a different approach. We need Artists for Sea Shepherd to help us.”– Geert Vons, Artistic Director Sea Shepherd Global
