– We estimate that there are 10,000 lost fishing gears in Raet National Park alone. And every year there are 1,000 new ones. The numbers are sad. Researcher at the Institute of Marine Research Susanna Huneide Thorbjørnsen leans on an ingrown lobster stone. It is one of 2,500 lost fishing gears that have been retrieved from the depths of Raet National Park outside Arendal in the last three years. Some of what is found has been there for over ten years. – Fishing nets left in the sea can catch fish and shellfish for many years. A great many of these die of hunger or injuries from fights in the streets, says Thorbjørnsen. Search action of the times Three years ago, the Institute of Marine Research started the project “Measures against ghost fishing in Raet National Park”. It involves research, innovation and the clearing of lost fishing gear. The researchers have concentrated on an ocean area of 200 square kilometers and used large resources to search with divers and underwater drones. Everything to understand the extent of ghost fishing along the Norwegian coast. Project manager Alf Ring Kleiven says they have received many responses, but that not all of them are equally uplifting. – Even in the place with the highest effort against ghost fishing in Norway, it only gets worse. There are more lost tools in the national park now than when we started. Project manager at the Institute of Marine Research, Alf Ring Kleiven, says that more and more fishing gear is being lost in Raet National Park. Photo: Erlend Astad Lorentzen / Marine Research Institute Changing focus Marine researchers will now change their focus in the fight against ghost fishing. They tell news that the replenishment of lost equipment is too large to clear indiscriminately along the coast. – Going forward, we will put our efforts into marine conservation areas, and particularly in conservation areas for lobsters. After all, the lobster is red-listed and needs to be protected. There are now around 50 conservation areas for lobsters in Norway. Susanna Huneide Thorbjørnsen is clear that this battle can only be won if fishermen lose fewer lines, nets and lures. – Recreational fishermen in particular must contribute here. There are many simple tricks to prevent tool loss. She hopes many people will familiarize themselves with good tea knowledge, which the researchers have collected on this website. Researcher Susanna Huneide Thorbjørnsen believes the fight against ghost fishing can only be won if fishermen lose fewer lines, nets and lures. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news – Have to work on several fronts at the same time. The Swedish Environmental Fund has financed most of the clean-up project in Raet. Cecilie Lind, who is the general manager, says the 10 million kroner is money well spent. – Lost fishing gear is a major environmental problem in itself. In addition, ghost fishing kills year after year. She says the problem is the large supply and that you therefore have to work on several fronts at the same time to solve the problem. The environmental fund, which receives its income from the plastic bag tax, is starting clean-up in several new places this year. These include projects in the inner Oslofjord and on Jomfruland, which have received NOK 40 million. Cecilie Lind, general manager of Handelens miljøfond, believes that work must be done on several fronts at the same time to solve the problem of ghost fishing. Photo: Handelens Miljøfond
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Project started against ghost fishing – now the situation is worse – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
