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Is ghost fishing in Banderas Bay, Mexico, a problem? (Perception, causes, consequences, and knowledge)
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This study investigates whether abandoned and lost fishing gear—known as ghost gear—poses a meaningful ecological problem in Banderas Bay, Mexico. Researchers assessed the prevalence and impact of derelict gear on marine life and habitat in the region. The findings contribute to understanding the scale of ghost fishing as a source of ongoing, unintended marine mortality and plastic pollution in coastal Mexican waters.
Fishing is one of the most significant economic activities, providing food to communities worldwide. Its technological development has enabled the maximum exploitation of fish stocks, resulting in various environmental problems, including ghost fishing. The United Nations estimates that 640,000 t of ghost fishing gear can be found in the oceans, accounting for 85% of the plastic waste on the seabed. The study was conducted in Banderas Bay, where surveys were administered to individuals with a connection to the marine area. The surveys consisted of three sections: general population, issue perception, and a section to determine the effects and damages according to six groups of people related to activities at sea. The primary fishing gear that causes ghost fishing in Banderas Bay is gillnets, followed by longlines. Ninety-six percent of the population considers ghost fishing a problem with repercussions for the environment and the region's economy. The main causes of loss are current waves and snagging on the bottom. There are no programs or actions to clean up the bottoms or to avoid the loss. The issue in the bay needs to be addressed through an integrated program that includes environmental education, vigilance/reporting, and incentives to prevent the loss of fishing gear.
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Ghost fishing and its impact on marine ecosystems of San Mateo, Jaramijó and Crucita, year 2019
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This Spanish-language study examined the impact of ghost fishing — the continued capture of marine life by lost or abandoned fishing gear — in three fishing communities in Ecuador. While focused on fishing gear loss rather than microplastics, abandoned synthetic fishing gear is a source of plastic debris that degrades into microplastics over time.
Lost Fishing Gear Generated by Artisanal Fishing Along the Moroccan Mediterranean Coast: Quantities and Causes of Loss
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A survey of 138 artisanal fishermen along Morocco's Mediterranean coast found that over 20,000 kg of fishing gear is lost annually — roughly 29% of all gear used — with net-gear accounting for the majority of losses and adverse weather as the primary cause. These findings help quantify the scale of ghost gear as a source of marine plastic pollution and support the case for improved gear tracking and maintenance protocols.
Ghost Fishing Gear: An Overlooked Threat in Marine Debris Management
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This review examines the problem of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear, often called ghost gear, which continues to catch and kill marine life long after it is lost at sea. The synthetic materials in this gear break down into microplastics and damage ecosystems including coral reefs, seagrass beds, and seafloor habitats. The authors call for stronger policies, biodegradable fishing materials, and better gear tracking technologies to address this overlooked source of ocean plastic pollution.
From sea to shore: Estimating used, lost and stranded fishing gear in the Southeastern Bay of Biscay through models and a novel gear identification key
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Researchers estimated that 211 tons of plastic fishing gear were used and 6 tons lost in the Southeastern Bay of Biscay in 2023, with gillnets and longlines most commonly lost; beach surveys identified 7.6% of collected items as fishing-related, predominantly mending pieces composed of polyethylene and polypropylene.
Ghost Fishing from Fishermen’s Perspective: A Case from Turkish Inland Fisheries
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Researchers surveyed fishermen at Eğirdir Lake in Turkey to assess awareness of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), finding that an estimated 275,000 meters of set nets are lost annually, while over 82% of fishermen lack knowledge about ghost fishing and 92% do not consider it a significant problem.
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