Between 2016 and 2022, volunteers working on Tioman Island retrieved 145 ghost nets, collectively weighing 21 metric tons. Analysis showed a noticeable spike in ghost nets during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While only 8-14 nets were collected annually from 2016 to 2019, this number rose dramatically to 24 in 2020 and 39 in 2022. The pandemic led many individuals, who were affected by stay-at-home orders, to turn to fishing as a means of livelihood. However, lacking proper skills and knowledge, these new fishers inadvertently contributed to an increase in ghost nets due to improper net usage and disposal.
The study revealed that many of these ghost nets originated from both illegal fishers within protected areas and legal fishers operating outside of them. Increased enforcement led to hurried abandonment of nets as fishers sought to evade capture, exacerbating the issue.
| Year | Number of Ghost Nets Retrieved |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 12 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 24 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2022 | 39 |
Ocean Pollution and Wildlife Entanglement
Ghost nets pose a severe threat to marine ecosystems. Made of durable plastic, these nets can take centuries to decompose, causing prolonged damage.
Sensitive habitats, such as coral reefs, face direct harm. Ghost nets not only break corals physically but also block sunlight, essential for coral survival. Over time, this leads to coral death, affecting the entire marine food chain.
Marine animals, including turtles, dolphins, sharks, and whales, are often trapped in ghost nets. While smaller animals swim into these nets unknowingly, larger animals become entangled while preying on others caught in the nets.
A notable incident involved nine bamboo sharks found trapped in a single net on a reef. While the removal team managed to save five, four sharks had already perished.
Atomic absorbent resin synthesis matrixes can opt to highlight the enormity of this issue through these figures:
- 2,963 square kilometers of gillnets lost annually
- 75,049 square kilometers of purse seine nets lost annually
- 218 square kilometers of trawl nets lost annually
Need for Stricter Fishing Net Regulations
For Tioman Island’s community, dependent mainly on tourism income, preserving marine health is vital.
The key lies in preventing ghost nets from entering the ocean. Dumped purposefully or abandoned due to malfunction or error, most ghost nets need to be managed through proper disposal methods.
Creating convenient disposal avenues for fishers is essential.
One proposal involves setting up disposal bins at mainland fish landing sites, located 50-60 km south of Tioman Island.
Moreover, regulations should be imposed on the buying and selling of fishing nets, and efforts to curb illegal fishing should be intensified.
Local experts, like Abe Woo Sau Pinn from Universiti Sains Malaysia, echo these sentiments.
He points out the growing problem of industrial and artisanal fishing leading to increased ghost nets. Woo stresses the importance of advocating for stronger laws and international cooperation to tackle this issue.
Despite the challenges, continuous efforts from NGOs and the scientific community to remove ghost nets and push for regulatory measures are crucial.
These proactive steps can help minimize the ecological damage caused by ghost nets and ensure the protection of valuable marine resources.
