Ghost Nets: Hidden Dangers Beneath the Waves

Most people never see them. They drift silently beneath the surface—or wash ashore in tangled heaps. But for marine life, ghost nets are anything but invisible.

What Are Ghost Nets?

Ghost nets are lost or discarded fishing gear—often massive, heavy nets that continue “fishing” long after they’ve been abandoned.
They don’t stop working.
They don’t break down.
And they don’t discriminate.

A Tragic Reality

During a recent dive off the coast of India, divers discovered a massive discarded trawl net—over 440 pounds—covering an artificial reef.

Inside it…a sea turtle. Already gone. Unfortunately this sea turtle drowned under the weight of the net. Sea turtles need to surface to breathe and when they becomd entangled or weighed down by ghost nets or other anthropogenic material they can’t get to the surface for the air they need.

Sadly, this isn’t a rare story. These nets entangle:

• Sea turtles
• Dolphins
• Fish
• Sharks
• Seabirds

Closer to Home

Here in Florida, ghost nets and lost fishing gear continue to pose a serious threat to our local sea turtles:

• Loggerheads
• Greens
• Hawksbills
• Leatherbacks
• Kemp’s Ridleys
• Manatees
• Dolphins
• And more

Strandings and entanglement injuries are reported along our coast every year.

Why They’re So Dangerous

Ghost nets:

• Are extremely heavy (often hundreds of pounds)
• Can contain hooks and sharp debris
• Drift with currents, expanding their reach
• Persist for years without breaking down

The Power of People

The good news? People are making a difference. Volunteers, divers, and conservation groups work tirelessly to remove these hazards from our oceans and beaches—often under difficult and dangerous conditions.

Restoration in Action

Many organizations are helping:

• Coral Restoration Foundation
• Mote Marine Laboratory
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

These groups, and more, are actively working to restore reefs and protect marine ecosystems.

What You Can Do

• Dispose of fishing gear properly
• Participate in beach cleanups
• Support conservation organizations
• Share awareness

Because the problem may be big—but so is our ability to make change.