Australia is helping to reduce the amount of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing nets – known as ghost nets – in the Arafura and Timor Seas.
Announced at the Global Nature Positive Summit this week, Australia is joining the Global Ghost Gear Initiative. We are also committing $1.4 million to support regional action on ghost nets.
The Global Ghost Gear Initiative is the world’s largest marine alliance working to combat abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear in our oceans. Support for regional action will see us work closely with Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to tackle ghost nets in surrounding waters.
Abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear harms marine life, as well as their habitats.
Ghost nets can stretch more than 6 kilometres and weigh several tonnes. They entangle, lacerate and even strangle birds, turtles, cetaceans and other species.
Through strong environmental leadership, Australia is working hard to address all facets of the triple planetary crisis:
- climate change
- pollution
- biodiversity loss.
We look forward to continued partnership with our global partners towards a more nature positive world. Together we can address our shared environmental priorities.
