Can you help us photograph the ghost fishing gear problem?
News
Calling all divers, surfers and marine photographers! Help us document the problem of lost and abandoned fishing gear by sending us your photos.
If you are a diver or photographer you can help with our Sea Change campaign to protect marine animals - by sending us your photographs of ghost gear.
What is ghost gear?
Ghost gear is fishing equipment that has been lost, abandoned or discarded in the world's oceans. It includes fishing nets, ropes, pots and traps.
Ghost gear represents one of the biggest threats to animals in our oceans, entangling, injuring and killing millions of animals every year. With the Sea Change campaign we aim to build a future free from the threat of ghost gear.
Have you seen the impact of ghost fishing gear on animals first hand?
You can help us make the ocean a safer place to animals. Get involved in the campaign by sending us photo evidence of ghost gear.
They could include any fishing nets underwater, any animals, birds or crustaceans which may be entangled, trapped, or carrying parts of these ghost fishing nets.
Ghost fishing gear found on Penhale beach, Cornwall
Why we need a Sea Change
An estimated 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear – around 10% of total marine debris – is left in our oceans annually. Combined, it weighs more than the HMS Titanic.
Most fishing gear is made out of plastic meaning that it persists in the oceans for centuries, accumulating year on year. We estimate that more than 136,000 seals, sea lions and large whales are killed by ghost fishing gear every year. An unimaginable number of birds, turtles, fish and other species are also injured and killed.
An estimated 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear is left in our oceans annually. Combined, it weighs more than the HMS Titanic.