Ghost Fishing

Ghost fishing describes fishing nets on the coastline and in the sea. Abandoned fishing equipment has the ability to trap and kill fish, seabirds, turtles and marine mammals. Fishing nets on the seabed can interfere with coral plants and there growth. Between 1996 - 2007, 205 turtles have been found trapped in fishing nets on Cape Arnhem, Austrialia, including 4 species of endangered turtles. In addition, ghost fishing is a visual problem, especially on the coastline. Fishing nets floating in the sea cause many problems with the operation of sea vessels by getting trapped in propellers.

The following website has more information on ghost fishing:

www.ghostnets.com.au

The photos show some nets found in Neskaupstadur, East Iceland, which were recovered.