A study published in the 2022 edition of Aquatic Ecology examined the pervasive issue of ghost fishing in the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting its severe impact on marine wildlife. Ghost fishing refers to the unintended capture and death of marine animals in abandoned or lost fishing gear, such as gill nets, lobster traps, and fish aggregating devices (FADs). The research analyzed 113 YouTube videos showing entangled marine life, identifying 86 species from 12 Mediterranean countries, with Italy, particularly Sardinia, recording the highest incidents, followed by Turkey. Alarmingly, 10 of the entangled species are classified as threatened by the IUCN, including sperm whales and whale sharks, with fish and crustaceans being the most affected groups. This study doesn’t just emphasize the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts in the Mediterranean, but also demonstrates the effectiveness of social media in documenting and raising awareness about the impact of ghost fishing.

So let's talk about those 113 videos for a moment.

That number stands out to me because it pales in comparison to the attention plastic bottles and straws got over the last decade. Ghost gear needs a revelation similar to the ocean garbage patch to bring awareness to the submerged devastation that goes unnoticed by many. The 640,000 tons of ghost gear discarded annually might not harm your business or supply chain. Or has it already?

Sea Shepherd crew witness firsthand the deadly impact of ghost gear on marine wildlife in the Med, regularly coming across endangered sea turtles tangled in plastic fishing line or whales dragging nets and buoys behind them for days. Operation Siso was launched in 2018 after the tragic death of a young sperm whale suffocated in a driftnet near the Aeolian Islands, his stomach full of plastic. Our vessels operating off the west coast of Italy, the Conrad and Sea Eagle, use small boats and hauling equipment to retrieve illegal and abandoned fishing gear while patrolling for poachers. Since 2018, our volunteers have recovered hundreds of kilometers of plastic lines, driftnets, longlines with thousands of hooks, hundreds of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), and thousands of plastic octopus pot traps. In June 2023 Sea Shepherd divers helped remove over 300 kg of ghost gear from two WWII plane wrecks off the coast of Brucoli, Italy, including lines, ropes, gillnets, and trawl nets.

Along with harming wildlife, massive navy vessels are also getting snagged in these nets. In less than three decades, diving trips to see more fish than plastics might become a thing of the past. This underwater heap of waste continues to pile up, wreaking havoc on the ocean floor and choking out vulnerable marine ecosystems. So it’s time for the industry to do more to mitigate the risks in this space.

Sea Shepherd knows from experience that the ocean is a lawless area. We can create Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), but who will patrol these waters? Don’t rely on your government; it will take too long or might not happen at all. This is where we need business ventures and opportunism. We have a valuable resource to leverage: salvageable plastics.

Although we can’t recycle ourselves out of this mess, we still have the opportunity to make an impact if we sensibly repurpose these nets. Turning bottles into clothing harms biodiversity and our health, so we aim to be truly curative in our efforts. Waste colonialism and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing are increasingly recognized as human rights and health issues. A closed-loop system is more important than ever. Evidence of interdependence is ample.

Since 2022 we’ve partnered with iMilani to recycle nearly 4,000 kg of confiscated fishing gear into Sea Turtle Crates, used to safely transport injured sea turtles. And in 2023 we launched the Ghost Network project to specifically combat ghost fishing in the Mediterranean by partnering with businesses to repurpose or recycle abandoned fishing gear collected during our campaigns at sea or in fishing ports. The initiative ensures 100% repurposing of materials, employs blockchain for supply chain transparency, and contributes proceeds to Sea Shepherd's conservation efforts, promoting a circular economy and marine conservation.

To the business leaders who understand 'good' business and are not chasing quick returns (arguably deemed bluewashing), now is the time to act. Budget and CSRD talks for 2025 are due, so insetting investments and funding organizations like Sea Shepherd as vehicles for regenerative business practices are vital for a future-proof tourism and shipping industry, among others. The relevance and continuity of your business depends on recognising and rebuilding our ecosystems. At the heart we have a shared purpose: safeguarding lives, human and animal alike.

Remember, a closed loop holds certain exclusivity to founding members. Sea Shepherd needs protagonists, amplifiers, and investors to scale - and let's start with the Med. Every industry can join the Ghost Network... well, almost.

Learn more about how you and your company can support the Ghost Network project.