Volunteer divers remove abandoned ghost fishing gear from the ocean
October 04, 2026
Kurt Lieber and volunteers with Ocean Defenders Alliance locate and remove abandoned fishing nets, lines and traps from coastal waters, helping reduce hazards to whales and other marine wildlife.
Kurt Lieber Takes on Abandoned Fishing Gear
Kurt Lieber of Ocean Defenders Alliance works with volunteers to remove lost and abandoned fishing equipment from coastal waters.
Lost Fishing Gear Remains Underwater
Abandoned nets, traps and fishing lines can remain in the ocean long after they are lost, creating continuing risks for marine wildlife.
The Threat of Ghost Fishing
Lost fishing equipment can continue trapping or entangling animals underwater, a persistent problem commonly known as ghost fishing.
Whales Face Entanglement Risks
Ropes, lines and other abandoned fishing gear can create dangerous entanglement hazards for whales and other marine animals.
How Fishing Traps Become Lost
Volunteer divers head onto the water to locate abandoned fishing equipment, beginning a demanding recovery operation beneath the surface.
Local Action for Healthier Oceans
For Ocean Defenders Alliance, every recovered trap represents practical progress toward reducing threats to marine wildlife and coastal ecosystems.
Volunteer Divers Begin the Search
Volunteer divers head onto the water to locate abandoned fishing equipment, beginning a demanding recovery operation beneath the surface.
Finding Hidden Gear Underwater
Locating lost traps can be challenging as divers search large areas where underwater visibility may be limited.
Bringing Abandoned Traps to the Surface
After locating a trap, divers carefully prepare the equipment to be lifted from the seabed and removed by the support team.
Local Action for Healthier Oceans
For Ocean Defenders Alliance, every recovered trap represents practical progress toward reducing threats to marine wildlife and coastal ecosystems.