Fishing nets or lines left abandoned in the ocean can pose a significant threat to marine life. A ghost net is a fishing net that has been discarded or lost in the sea by fishermen and continues to trap everything in their path. Ghost nets do not only catch fish; they also often entangle and harm coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks, birds, dolphins, monk seals, and more.
Image 1. juvenile hammerhead shark caught in an illegal lay net. Image 2. Spiny lobster caught in an illegal lay net. Image 3. Illegal lay net removed from Maui’s south shore.
Ghost nets entangle marine animals, causing injuries and restricting them from moving freely. They also can prevent sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals from rising to the surface for air.
Juvenile green sea turtle found entangled in an illegal lay net. Maliko Gulch, Maui.
To reduce the threat of ghost nets to Maui’s nearshore environment, MOCMI has launched a net removal team. The team responds to calls about abandoned nets along the shoreline or in nearshore waters and regularly surveys areas where nets are commonly found.
Large ghost removed by MOCMI from Launiopoko Beach Park, Maui.
We are always looking for new volunteers to join our net removal team. For more information, email us at info@mocmarineinstitute.org.
Fishing Net Removal
Fishing nets or lines left abandoned in the ocean can pose a significant threat to marine life. A ghost net is a fishing net that has been discarded or lost in the sea by fishermen and continues to trap everything in their path. Ghost nets do not only catch fish; they also often entangle and harm coral reefs, sea turtles, sharks, birds, dolphins, monk seals, and more.
Ghost nets entangle marine animals, causing injuries and restricting them from moving freely. They also can prevent sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals from rising to the surface for air.
To reduce the threat of ghost nets to Maui’s nearshore environment, MOCMI has launched a net removal team. The team responds to calls about abandoned nets along the shoreline or in nearshore waters and regularly surveys areas where nets are commonly found.
We are always looking for new volunteers to join our net removal team. For more information, email us at info@mocmarineinstitute.org.