Together we can turn Ghostnets off at the source
Northern Australia is a global ghost gear hotspot.
First Nations Rangers work relentlessly to disentangle wildlife and remove thousands of nets each year, yet much of the harm to marine life happens long before the nets reach the shore.
“ We collect everything by hand, then the tide comes in again...the problem is insurmountable. Healthy country means healthy people. When it’s sick, that makes us sick in our heart and our spirit too. ”
Mayatilli Marika, Traditional Owner & Yolŋu woman
Places we work
We are based in Australia and work across Australia, Coral Triangle and the Pacific
We’re working to turn off the tap — clean-up and stop ghost nets entering the ocean
For two decades, we have worked to understand the ghost net issue, its sources, and the solutions needed for transformational change.
By applying systems thinking to tackle the root causes -working at policy, finance, and community levels - we are breaking the cycle and creating lasting, self-sustaining impact.
But it's not just Australia. Rubbish throughout the Arafura Sea degrades marine ecosystems and the social systems that rely on them. In coastal fishing communities across Indonesia and the Southwest Pacific, discarded nets are both an environmental disaster and economic burden - threatening livelihoods, food security and safety. Many communities rely on unsustainable fishing practices due to a lack of viable alternatives. With no waste management infrastructure, no financial incentives to recover lost gear, and limited government intervention, the cycle of ghost gear continues.
The pathway is now clear.
By turning ghost nets into an economic opportunity, we can stop the flow of plastic, reduce poverty, and restore marine ecosystems—creating a future where ghost nets no longer reach Australian shores.
To do this, we are:
- Keeping plastic from entering the ocean by creating wealth from waste opportunities through social enterprise models including for waste to energy and fishing gear recycling.
- Addressing the legacy ghostnets within the Arafura Sea through a world first seabed clean up that helps restore connection to country and reduce the clean-up burden for First Nations communities
- Providing in-situ fit for purpose recycling and disposal solutions for communities to capitalise on this material; creating jobs and helping heal country and people
Our systematic approach seeks to restore community resilience and achieve a future where people and nature thrive together.
GhostNets
Ghost nets pose a severe threat to marine ecosystems
1. No ghost gear from international sources washing up in Northern Australia by 2030
2. No ghost gear from recreational fishing in Australia by 2030
3. A circular program for end-of-life fishing gear in the commercial sector by 2030