Fishing nets that have been abandoned, lost, or otherwise dumped in the water are known as ghost nets. When lost or discarded fishing equipment that is no longer under a fisherman's control continues to capture and kill fish, crabs, marine mammals, sea turtles, and seabirds, this is known as ghost fishing. Once lost under the water's surface, abandoned fishing nets and traps may very well continue to ghost fish for years. These nets, frequently practically undetectable in low light, might become entangled on a stony reef or float in the open sea. Fish, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, dugongs, crocodiles, seagulls, crabs, and other species can become entangled. When the nets do their job, they limit movement, causing malnutrition, laceration and infection, and asphyxia in those who must return to the surface to breathe. Each year, around 48,000 tonnes of ghost nets are produced, and they might stay in the waters for prolonged periods of time before breaking apart.
Ghost nets entangle fish, aquatic animals, and seabirds, choking coral reefs and harming marine environments. They also pose a risk to boats by clogging propellers. It is quite challenging to locate and then remove the nets. Ghost fishing has the potential to negatively impact both target and non-target creatures, including endangered and protected species; cause damage to underwater environments such as coral reefs and benthic fauna; and contribute to marine pollution. While there are no quick solutions, the UN has proposed practical steps to combat ghost gear, including that of educating the fishing industry about the issue and giving incentives for fishermen to report missing equipment and retrieve nets found at sea.
