When we first thought about launching a range of ghost net jewellery here at Yemaya HQ I had no idea how it would capture people’s imagination. The response has been amazing, some people have made connections with specific areas where the ghost nets have been retrieved and others are gradually building up a collection from different areas along the Cornish coastline.
If you are new to Ghost Nets you may be wondering what all the fuss is about so here is our quick guide to some of the facts about ghost nets.
Ghost nets are commercial fishing nets which have been lost or abandoned by a fishing vessel and remain in the sea
The abandoned nets continue to trap fish and other marine life, killing them as they can’t escape
The main types of nets which become ghost nets are gill nets and drift nets.
Ghost nets occur through a number of reasons including bad weather damage, nets not secured properly to buoys, and accidents that damage the nets
Until the middle of the 20th Century most commercial fishing nets were made with natural fibres which naturally biodegrade over time. But advances in technology meant nets could be made from synthetic materials such as nylon. Whilst these are lighter and stronger they do not naturally biodegrade and can last in the sea for many years.
The shocking facts
Around 640000 tones of fishing gear discarded into ocean each year
Over 1250km of net lost in UK each year
Over 150000 dolphins, whales & porpoises are killed annually by the gear along with thousands of sea birds, turtles & sharks
It is not just animals that are killed. In 1998 42-year-old Megan Reehling became tangled in a ghost net while in the sea at Puget Sound near Seattle, USA. She was equipped with a knife and made an attempt to cut through the net but ran out of air before she was able to free herself.
In January 2019 a 30m long lost or abandoned net was found off the coast of Cornwall. It took 15 people to pull the net out of the sea and needed a tractor to get it off the beach to be broken up and recycled.
Ghost nets are not a Cornwall problem, they are a global problem.
Yemaya joins Clean Ocean Sailing to Highlight the Problem
Since 2020 we have been working with the wonderful team at Clean Ocean Sailing to find a sustainable reuse for these abandoned nets that helps people to connect and understand the problem.
Our Ghost Net Bracelets have done exactly that. They are unique, affordable and wearing one is a signal to others that not only are you aware of the problem, but also that you care. With every bracelet we sell we donate £2 to this remarkable charity.
The success of this initiative is the partnership we have with Clean Ocean Sailing and you.
The more people become aware of the problem, the more it is talked about and the more people get involved in trying to find a solution, the more hope there is for a better future for our marine environment.
Tomorrow we are launching our next 50 Ghost Net Bracelets collection
This new range is available in a range of colours and from a range of locations along the Cornwall coast including Coverack, Praa Sands, Polzeth, Fistral and Crackington Haven.
Want to find out more and get involved with this fantastic project? Visit www.cleanoceansailing.com to see how you can make a difference.
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