Ghost Gear Fishing

Ghost gear, or abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), is a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems. Here’s a breakdown of the dangers:

• 🐬 Trap Fish & Marine Life: Ghost gear continues to capture marine animals, a process known as “ghost fishing.” It entangles fish, dolphins, sea turtles, and other species, often leading to injury or death as the animals cannot escape.
• 🪸 Destroy Corals & Alter Aquatic Ecosystems: The gear can get caught on coral reefs, breaking and damaging these vital habitats. This disrupts the balance of aquatic ecosystems, impacting biodiversity and the health of marine environments.
• ☠️ Leave Toxic Chemicals in the Environment: Many fishing gears are made of synthetic materials that degrade slowly, releasing microplastics and toxic chemicals into the water. These pollutants can accumulate in the food chain, affecting marine life and potentially human health.
• 🌊 Litter Beaches: Ghost gear often washes ashore, littering beaches and coastal areas. This not only impacts the aesthetics of these areas but also poses risks to wildlife and can harm local economies dependent on tourism.

Urgent action is needed to address this issue, including better management of fishing gear, improved tracking and retrieval systems, and increased awareness and international cooperation to protect our oceans and marine life.

source :

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/unbiodiversity_ghost-gear-trap-fish-marine-life-obstructing-activity-7227795785055113216-Y3ys/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop