How are ghost nets being removed from Hong Kong waters?

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Ghost Nets Are Being Removed from Hong Kong Waters Through Collaborative Cleanup Efforts

Ghost nets, a significant source of marine pollution and a threat to marine life, are being actively removed from Hong Kong's waters through the collaborative efforts of environmental organisations and dedicated volunteers. These initiatives involve specialised diving teams and aim to not only clear the existing nets but also to raise awareness about the broader issue of marine litter.
Healthy Seas Expands Operations to Hong Kong

Healthy Seas, a nonprofit organisation focused on marine conservation, has extended its activities to Hong Kong, marking a significant expansion of its global network. This expansion facilitates regular ghost net cleanup projects in areas such as Sai Kung, Port Shelter, and the Nine Pins Island Group. The organisation's work is crucial in addressing the persistent problem of abandoned fishing gear in marine environments.
Ghost Diving Hong Kong Recovers Substantial Quantities of Net

The volunteer team at Ghost Diving Hong Kong, in partnership with Healthy Seas and with support from DWS Group, has successfully recovered approximately 120 kilograms of gill nets near Sharp Island, Hap Mun Bay, Sai Kung on March 18th. Following this, volunteers retrieved an additional 150 meters of netting from the same location, with a third dive planned to address remaining nets. These nets pose a severe danger to marine animals, entangling and killing them.
Addressing the Broader Issue of Lost Fishing Gear

An estimated 640,000 tons of fishing gear are lost or abandoned annually worldwide, contributing to persistent plastic pollution in oceans. This "ghost fishing" phenomenon occurs as these nets continue to trap and kill marine life for hundreds of years. In Hong Kong, despite a ban on trawling since December 2012 aimed at marine habitat restoration, challenges persist, including the issue of small speed boats deploying long gill nets that are frequently lost or discarded. Volunteer divers also remove older nets from trawlers that have become snagged on submerged rocks and reefs.
Collected Nets Are Recycled into New Products

The recovered nylon fishing nets are regenerated into ECONYL® yarn, a high-quality material used for manufacturing new products such as socks, swimwear, and carpets. Other types of plastic nets are repurposed for creating jewelry and accessories. Since its inception in 2013, Healthy Seas has collected over 905 tons of fishing nets and other marine litter through the assistance of volunteer divers and fishers.

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How are ghost nets being removed from Hong Kong waters?

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