Ghost nets are lost, abandoned or discarded fishing gear and are a major issue for marine life and sea habitats. It's estimated that ghost nets make up to 10% of all marine litter.

Between 500,000 and one million tons of ghost fishing equipment are abandoned each year.

Ghost nets don't only catch fish; they also entangle sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises, birds, sharks and seals. These animals swim into nets and either sustain injuries, or are drowned or suffocated.

Around 700,000 marine animals are killed by ghost nets every year. If the animal does escape, it may still die from its injuries.