Ghost Gear's Impact off the Goto Islands - The Ghosts of Fishing Gear Drifting in the Ocean
A massive piece of waste, symbolic of the serious problem of marine pollution, has been recovered from the waters off Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Its true identity is "ghost gear," marine plastic waste referred to in Japanese as "fishing gear ghosts."
Source: Nagasaki Culture Broadcasting YouTube
A Giant Shadow 11 Meters Long
In early July 2024, a colossal discarded fishing net, approximately 11 meters long and 1 meter wide, was discovered in the waters off the Kishiku area of Goto City. Its presence, drifting like a ghost in the sea, speaks volumes about the severity of marine pollution.
This ghost gear, discovered through a dive survey by the World Wide Fund for Nature Japan (WWF Japan), was recovered on July 27 due to concerns about its potential impact on shipping, diving, and recreation.
What is "Ghost Gear"?
Ghost gear refers to plastic fishing gear, such as fishing nets, that has been lost or discarded during fishing activities. The name comes from its tendency to drift in the ocean like a ghost.
Surprisingly, ghost gear is said to account for approximately 10% of marine plastic waste. This is a statistic that cannot be ignored.
Worsening Environmental Impact
The problems caused by ghost gear are extensive.
Negative impact on marine ecosystems
- Cases of fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals dying after becoming entangled in nets
- Destruction of coral reefs and seabed ecosystems
- Impact on the food chain due to microplastic formation
Loss of marine resources
- Seafood becoming entangled in nets and losing commercial value
- Hindrance to sustainable fisheries
Disruption to human activities
- Obstruction of shipping routes
- Dangers to marine leisure activities such as diving
Successive Discoveries in Goto's Waters
In recent years, large ghost gear has been successively discovered in the waters off Goto. The gear recovered in July was confirmed to be a foreign-made fishing net, and it is highly likely that the one discovered this time is also foreign-made.
In the future, specialized organizations will sort and measure the debris, and a detailed investigation into the condition and origin of the waste is planned.
Source: Nagasaki Culture Broadcasting YouTube
What We Can Do
The ghost gear problem is not merely one aspect of marine pollution; it is a serious issue that threatens global sustainability.
To solve this, the following initiatives are required:
- Educating fishers on proper fishing gear management
- Developing and disseminating environmentally friendly fishing gear, such as biodegradable materials
- International cooperation for marine waste collection activities
- Increasing consumer awareness of the marine environment
To protect the beautiful seas of Goto and leave abundant marine resources for future generations, each of us must start by doing what we can.
Reference Information
- Date of discovery: Early July 2024
- Location of discovery: Off the Kishiku area, Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture
- Size: Approximately 11 meters long, 1 meter wide
- Investigating organization: World Wide Fund for Nature Japan (WWF Japan)
Source: https://www.ncctv.co.jp/news/article/15990838?ro=16123264&ri=1