Thai Divers Collect Abandoned Fishing Gear Trapping Sea Life in Phuket, Thailand

Divers in Phuket, Thailand, are collecting abandoned plastic fishing gear that has become tangled on coral and is trapping sea life in the turquoise waters off the island's beaches.

This discarded or lost fishing equipment, known as 'ghost gear,' is a growing problem in waters off Thailand and beyond, ensnaring marine life and contributing to microplastic pollution as the nets and ropes break down over time.

According to Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, the percentage of endangered marine life affected by plastic pollution in the upper Andaman Sea off Thailand has grown from 20% in 2021 to at least 30% as of 2023. Scuba diving groups and marine organizations in Thailand are working to remove the abandoned fishing gear from reefs through cleanup missions, but they face challenges in tracking the scale of the problem due to a lack of coordinated data collection.

Why this matters: The issue of abandoned fishing gear and plastic pollution is not only harming marine ecosystems in Thailand but also contributing to a global problem. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated efforts from governments, environmental organizations, and local communities to prevent further damage and protect endangered sea life.

The trash collected by the divers is sorted, weighed, and, where possible, sent for recycling, with around 130 tons of used fishing equipment already collected and recycled into new products. However, waste management remains a significant problem, with plastic waste being one of the main causes of endangered marine animals washing ashore.

The efforts of the divers in Phuket underscore the pressing need for action to address the growing problem of abandoned fishing gear and plastic pollution in our oceans. As the percentage of endangered marine life affected by plastic waste continues to rise, measures must be taken to prevent further damage and protect these fragile ecosystems for future generations.

Key Takeaways

• Divers in Phuket, Thailand, have collected abandoned plastic fishing gear from coral reefs.
• The percentage of endangered marine life affected by plastic pollution rose from 20% in 2021 to 30% in 2023.
• Abandoned fishing gear, known as 'ghost gear,' is a growing problem, ensnaring marine life.
• Collected gear is sorted, weighed, and recycled into new products, but waste management remains a challenge.
• Addressing this issue requires coordinated efforts to prevent further damage and protect marine ecosystems.