Youth Volunteers Remove Nearly 2 Tons of Deadly Ghost Nets from Sri Lankan Waters
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📰 The quick summary: Volunteer divers in Sri Lanka have removed 1.9 metric tons of marine litter, primarily ghost fishing nets that endanger sea turtles and other marine life, highlighting local action against a growing transboundary pollution problem.
📈 One key stat: A pilot study estimated that 22,593 kilograms of plastic fishing gear were lost to the sea from just 325 surveyed vessels in Sri Lanka, revealing the massive scale of the ghost net crisis.
💬 One key quote: “These lost fishing gear kill scores of marine species and remains a specific problem for marine turtles,” said Thushan Kapurusinghe, project lead of the Turtle Conservation Project of Sri Lanka.
1️⃣ The big picture: Abandoned fishing gear, known as ghost nets, pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems in Sri Lanka and beyond. These nets continue trapping and killing sea turtles, dolphins, fish, and seabirds long after being discarded, with an estimated 3,400-12,200 turtles caught in ghost gear across the Indian Ocean annually. The problem is transboundary, as nets can drift across national waters driven by ocean currents and winds. While Sri Lanka contributes significantly to the issue with thousands of kilograms of fishing gear lost annually, volunteer groups have stepped up to combat this crisis through organized underwater cleanups and innovative upcycling projects.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Youth-led volunteer initiatives like The Pearl Protectors have taken direct action by organizing over 90 underwater cleanup dives involving 175 volunteers who successfully removed 1.9 metric tons of marine litter from coral reefs. Their efforts directly protect marine species from entanglement while preserving vital coral reef ecosystems. Beyond removal, creative solutions have emerged with local fashion designer Thumalka Rupasinghe pioneering methods to transform recovered ghost nets into fashion items, merging marine conservation with sustainable design. These grassroots approaches demonstrate effective community response to ocean pollution while raising public awareness about ghost fishing impacts.
3️⃣ What’s next: Experts emphasize that while cleanups are vital, systemic solutions must include better monitoring, waste management infrastructure, and recycling facilities for fishing gear. Stronger policies and international cooperation are essential as ghost nets represent a transboundary problem requiring coordinated action. Incentives for responsible disposal and innovation in gear materials could help prevent nets from entering oceans in the first place.
Read the full story here: Mongabay – As Sri Lanka struggles with ghost nets, volunteer youth lead seabed cleanup
