Introduction
In the early light at Thoppumpady fishing harbor in Kochi, India, coils of blue and green nylon nets lay heaped on the concrete docks, stiff with salt after a long night at sea. Many had been patched and repatched so often that they were barely holding together. Nets too damaged to mend are often cut loose offshore. Once they sink, few are ever recovered.
The 'Ghost Gear' Problem
Across India's west coast, lost fishing gear known as 'ghost gear' has become a significant source of marine pollution. Nets vanish whole or in fragments, slipping into the waters of the Arabian Sea where they continue trapping fish, turtles, and other marine life long after fishers abandon them.
India operates one of the world's largest marine fishing sectors, supporting an estimated 14.5 million livelihoods along more than 7,500 kilometers of coastline. While national estimates are scarce, a 2022 study in the southwestern state of Kerala, where Kochi is located, found that fishers lost, abandoned, or discarded about 21% of their fishing gear annually.
Challenges and Solutions
Despite growing concern among researchers and conservationists, India lacks a systematic way to track, retrieve, or recycle lost fishing gear, as well as accessible mechanisms to collect and safely dispose of end-of-life nets and other equipment before they are discarded at sea.
To address these challenges, it is necessary to develop strategies to reduce the loss of fishing gear, increase the recycling and reuse of materials, and promote sustainable fishing practices. Furthermore, it is essential to strengthen cooperation between fishers, government authorities, and environmental organizations to protect the marine environment and ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry.
Conclusion
The 'ghost gear' problem in India is a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach. It is crucial that fishers, government authorities, and environmental organizations work together to develop effective solutions to reduce the loss of fishing gear and promote sustainable fishing practices.
Source / Reference: Mongabay