Ghost nets pose severe threat to marine life as divers uncover hidden dangers in Baltic Sea

When Lars Phillipsen dives into the depths of the Baltic Sea to explore old shipwrecks, encountering ghost nets is the norm rather than the exception. “They are everywhere, including large trawl nets covering entire wrecks and smaller clumps of netting.” These ghost nets are not difficult to find; a study by DTU Aqua in 2021 estimated around 49,000 nets, or pieces of nets, scattered in Danish waters. Ghost nets are fishing nets that have become lost or abandoned, originating from both commercial and recreational fishermen.

Despite the cessation of commercial fishing from Bornholm, these forgotten nets continue to trap marine life, posing a severe threat to seals, fish, and other animals, which can become ensnared and ultimately die painfully. “All the ghost nets I’ve encountered have animals trapped in them. Fish use these nets for shelter, but when they attempt to escape, they get caught,” says Phillipsen.

The risks posed by these nets extend beyond marine wildlife; divers are also at risk of becoming ensnared. Thomas Kirk Sørensen, a marine biologist from WWF, describes the situation as dire, emphasizing that ghost nets represent a serious threat to marine species by continuously passively fishing. He warns that the older nets also release microplastics into the ocean, contributing significantly to marine plastic pollution.

Biologist Eva Maria Pedersen points out that older nets from 30 years ago are most prevalent in certain areas, with an average of one net or fragment found every two square kilometers searched. Despite ongoing cleanup efforts funded primarily by the EU, concerns about their insufficiency remain. Fisheries Minister Jacob Jensen admits that more needs to be done and is committed to engaging the industry and environmental organizations to better address the issue.