Animal charity asks for Navy firepower to help fight global “Ghost Gear” menace

Today Steve McIvor, the Chief Executive of World Animal Protection, wrote to the Admirals of the world’s 10 most powerful navies calling on them to increase patrols to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The charity also released new undercover drone footage showing IUU fishing vessels dumping gear in the ocean whilst operating off the coast of Thailand.

Every year more than one hundred thousand whales, dolphins, seals and turtles are caught in “ghost gear” -  abandoned, lost and discarded fishing nets, lines and traps which can take up to 600 years to decompose. A staggering 640,000 tonnes of ghost gear is left in our oceans each year. IUU fishing vessels are more likely to dump their fishing gear due to the illicit nature of their activities.

Steve McIvor, CEO at World Animal Protection says:

“Animals that are caught in this incredibly durable equipment, suffer a prolonged and painful death, usually suffocating or starving to death. Commonly, thin pieces of fishing line wrap around a limb or the neck of an animal, causing infections, constrictions and ultimately death.”

There is an undeniable connection between illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and “ghost gear”. Both the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have acknowledged an undisputable link.

IUU fishing doesn’t just have negative consequences for animals – it harms people all over the world. In September this year, retired U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis, who served as the 16th Supreme Allied Commander at NATO, said: “President Trump should recognize illegal fishing as a direct threat to U.S. interests in his National Security Strategy. This would send a strong message to countries and criminals that the pillaging of our oceans is a serious threat”. 

Communities around the world are harmed as efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks are put under threat whilst food security is put at risk. It causes both, short and long-term social and economic losses for affected countries.

In his letter, Steve McIvor said: “I urge you to increase Navy patrols to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing. Illegal fishing operations are causing immense suffering to hundreds of thousands of marine animals and are making big profits knowing there is a very small chance they will be apprehended.

“I’m sure you agree, as a country that possesses one of the most powerful navies in the world, it is vital you help to eliminate this menace from the oceans.”

The Global Ghost Gear Initiative, established by World Animal Protection in 2015, is a cross-sectoral alliance committed to driving solutions to the problem of lost and abandoned fishing gear worldwide. The GGGI aims to improve the health of marine ecosystems, protect marine animals, and safeguard human health and livelihoods. For further information, visit: www.ghostgear.org

ENDS

Notes to editors:                                                   

For interviews or for more information please call +44 (0) 20 7239 0563 or email WillWright@worldanimalprotection.org

View drone footage and images also available

For more information on World Animal Protection please visit www.WorldAnimalProtection.org

For more information on the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) please visit www.ghostgear.org

The 10 biggest navies are:

United States Navy

People's Liberation Army Navy

Russian Navy

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

Indian Navy

Royal Navy

French Navy

Republic of China Navy

Republic of Korea Navy

Indonesian Navy

Steve McIvor, CEO at World Animal Protection says: “Animals that are caught in this incredibly durable equipment, suffer a prolonged and painful death, usually suffocating or starving to death. Commonly, thin pieces of fishing line wrap around a limb or the neck of an animal, causing infections, constrictions and ultimately death.