The Heartbreaking Truth About Fishing Nets

As we celebrate Earth Day, it's important to acknowledge the harsh reality of the dangers that threaten our planet. We've polluted and damaged it in ways that have far-reaching consequences, especially when it comes to our delicate waterways. Water pollution has surged, putting the very existence of living creatures at risk. It's a problem that affects us all.

One of the biggest culprits of sea pollution is the sheer number of abandoned fishing nets left to drift and become marine debris. These nets end up trapping unsuspecting sea creatures, leading to countless accidental deaths every year. In fact, this is a significant contributor to the rapid decline of marine species across the globe.

According to Global Ghost Gear, at least 640,000 tons of fishing gear are lost or abandoned in our oceans annually. Shockingly, over 40% of marine mammals have already fallen victim to these ghost nets, putting many of them in grave danger of extinction.

This Earth Day, it's crucial that we shed light on the serious consequences of discarded fishing nets and take steps toward finding sustainable solutions to this pressing issue. Keep reading to learn more about the heartbreaking truth about fishing nets and what we can do to help protect our oceans.

Consequences of Ghost Nets or Ghost Fishing 

The polluting effects of ghost networks:

Each year, a staggering 8 million tons of plastic waste find their way into our oceans. Shockingly, it is estimated that up to 10% of this pollution comes from the fishing industry! Sadly, many fishing nets are not biodegradable and are instead made of synthetic materials like nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

These materials take hundreds of years to break down and can persist in our oceans for centuries, causing immense harm to marine life and the ecosystem. When lost or abandoned at sea, they contribute significantly to marine litter, adding to the already devastating pollution crisis.

• The effects of ghost nets on marine fauna

When nets are abandoned or lost at sea, they become "ghost nets" that continue to catch everything in their path. Fish, marine mammals, turtles, and birds are all vulnerable to becoming trapped in these uncontrolled nets. 

More than 40% of all marine mammal species have been affected by ghost nets, including many that are listed as threatened or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. 

Even species such as dolphins, turtles, cormorants, and sharks are not immune to these deadly driftnets. The threat of ghost nets is so severe that, according to Global Ghost Gear's 2017 Annual Report, they are more likely to directly impact marine species than all other types of marine debris combined.

• Impacts of ghost nets on the seabed

The discarded fishing gear doesn't simply disappear but instead ends up settling on the ocean floor, causing plastic contamination and disrupting the delicate ecosystem. As the nets drift with ocean currents, they can cause extensive damage to marine organisms such as sponges, corals, and other seabed inhabitants. 

Even in deep waters, heavy nets designed to capture species like lobsters can have disastrous consequences when abandoned. They can cause severe damage to localized areas, disrupting the balance of marine life in the region. 

Furthermore, the accumulation of discarded nets on the seabed poses a grave threat to the survival of species that rely on the ocean floor for their habitat, creating an environmental crisis that demands immediate attention.

• Consequences for humans

The impact of abandoned fishing gear goes beyond the loss of biodiversity; it poses a direct threat to human safety, especially for those navigating the ocean. 

Studies in South Korea have shown a rise in boat propellers getting entangled in lost or abandoned fishing gear, leading to serious accidents and loss of lives. For instance, a passenger ship that capsized, leading to the death of 292 people, was attributed to entanglement with abandoned fishing gear.

The economic impact of ghost gear is equally significant, with Global Ghost Gear estimating that the cost of clean-up and lost fishing time runs into hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for governments and fishing industries. The financial burden of addressing this issue is only expected to increase unless we take action to address this pressing problem.

It’s Time to Save This Issue 

Numerous proposals have been put forward to combat the problem of ghost nets. These include decreasing the amount of fishing gear used and producing nets from biodegradable materials. However, only one solution has been demonstrated to be both effective and sustainable: recycling fishing nets. 

Recycling discarded nets is not only environmentally beneficial but also a practical way to repurpose harmful waste into something useful. This approach can help reduce the amount of plastic pollution in our oceans and contribute to a more sustainable future.

From Trash to Treasure: Eco-friendly Products Made From Recycled Fishing Nets

Recycling fishing nets involves the collection and processing of discarded nets to create various products such as clothing, carpets, furniture, and skateboards. Once collected, the nets are thoroughly cleaned to remove any contaminants and then transformed into new materials through various manufacturing processes.

Recycled nylon from fishing nets, for example, can be used to make durable and long-lasting products like bags, swimwear, and backpacks. Carpets made from recycled fishing nets not only have eco-friendly qualities but also offer unique and appealing aesthetics, making them a popular choice among interior designers.

In addition to the environmental benefits of recycling fishing nets, this practice can create employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth. Recycling plants require skilled and semi-skilled laborers to operate machinery and perform other tasks involved in the production process.

Furthermore, producing goods from recycled materials can generate income for businesses and individuals, boosting the local economy. By reducing the need for new materials, recycling fishing nets can lead to lower energy consumption, fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and less environmental impact.

Recycling fishing nets can also have a positive impact on marine life by removing abandoned nets that can continue to trap and harm sea creatures for years. By repurposing these nets, we can help to conserve marine ecosystems and protect vulnerable species.

Pollute less, dirty less, and recycle as much as possible.

Explore the selection of eco-friendly bags available at Strong Suitcases. By selecting our vegan and environmentally conscious bags, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and support a more sustainable tomorrow. Join us in taking action today and become part of the solution for a greener planet!