GhostFishing UK

Background

Ghost Fishing UK was established in 2015, and is an award-winning charity dedicated to removing ‘Ghost Gear’ from the seas around the UK.

‘Ghost Gear’ is fishing gear, such as nets and shellfish traps, that have been lost by the fishermen during the course of their work. The lost gear continues to catch marine life, as it is designed to do. ‘Ghost Gear’ is a source of marine pollution, but because it was designed to catch animals it has a disproportionate impact on wildlife, marine and coastal habitats, and food security.

The UN estimates that over 640,000 tonnes of ‘Ghost Gear’ are lost in our seas and oceans every year. This lost gear catches and kills marine wildlife. Most modern fishing gear is made from plastics, contributing to the global issue of plastic waste and pollution that succumb into our oceans, harming the wildlife.

Ghost Fishing UK is made up of volunteer scuba divers, who have been trained to remove this lost fishing gear from the seas. Their skilled team conducts
surveys, removes gear, and collaborates with communities to protect marine life.

Achievements and Objectives

In 2023, Ghostfishing UK divers recovered 1,500kg of lost fishing gear from the Shetland waters and a Ghost Fishing UK team assembled in Brighton to continue an ongoing project to clean up the wrecks in the region.

Going forwards, Ghost Fishing UK will continue to plan surveys and recovery dives around the coastline of England and Scotland. Survey data will be used to clarify the extent of the ‘Ghost Gear’ problem in UK waters, and the recovery efforts will save the lives of countless animals ranging from small crustaceans to large marine mammals such as seals and porpoises.

Ghost Fishing UK will also engage in public outreach events to raise awareness of the problem, and to educate the public about possible solutions, and will also collaborate with fishing communities to establish a rapport allowing them to recover lost gear in a rapid and effective manner.