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According to one estimate, nearly a third of fishing lines are lost or discarded at sea. This so-called “ghost gear” — along with lost nets and traps — is deadly for marine animals: Experts estimate that more than 300,000 whales and dolphins die each year after getting tangled in them.
That's why Conservation International created a course to teach recreational divers how to safely remove ghost gear from the sea. Over the past five years, the course has certified nearly 100 divers in Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, Indonesia and Timor-Leste.
Since then, Conservation International has partnered with the fashion brand H&M to expand the effort, training an additional 50 divers so far.
OF FISHING LINES
Nearly one-third of fishing lines and 6% of nets are lost to the sea, where they smother coral and entangle wildlife.
My hope is that more people understand that they don't have to be underwater removing gear. The root of the ghost gear crisis comes from the overexploitation of fish. If, as consumers, we respect seasonal fish and support sustainable sources, we can make a difference.