© Brian J. Skerry - National Geographic Stock
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#StopGhostGear

There is a silent predator in our oceans: abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear, known as ghost gear. This type of waste can scour the ocean bottom, trap and drown marine wildlife and endanger navigation and fisher economies. Globally, 45% of marine mammals, 21 % of seabirds and all sea turtles species have been impacted by marine debris, including ghost gear.
 
Read WWF’s report “StopGhostGear: the most deadly form of marine plastic debris” to learn more:


DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

 

How do we solve the ghost gear problem?

WWF is calling on governments, fishing gear designers and producers, fishers, and the public to tackle the problem of ghost gear and stop our ocean’s drowning in plastic. As this is a global problem, we have to take action together, by supporting a new Global Plastics Treaty.

Ghost gear is the most deadly form of marine plastic debris in our ocean. Take action now by signing the petition.


 

Join our cause

If you see a marine species, take a picture and put a big hashtag on it.
Share your picture in social media using #StopGhostGear
© WWF
© Brian J. Skerry / National Geographic Stock / WWF




A DANGER FOR
ALL SPECIES



Lost fishing gear breaks corals, scours bottom habitat of sessile animals, damages vegetation, builds up sediment, and smothers and impedes access to key environments. 
© Jürgen Freund / WWF




WHAT WE DON’T SEE


At least 10% of marine litter is estimated to be made up of fishing waste, which means that between 500,000 and 1 million tons of fishing gear are likely entering the ocean every year.
© shutterstock / Rich Carey




A GROWING PROBLEM


The problems of plastic pollution, including ghost gear, are global but as of today, there is no international treaty in place dedicated to tackling the issue

IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE

The problems of plastic pollution, including ghost gear, are global but as of today, there is no international treaty in place dedicated to tackling the issue.