While a lot of attention has been directed to consumers for their role in proliferating single-use plastics, less attention has been leveled at the fishing industry. But it’s estimated that as much as half of the plastic in the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” is derelict fishing gear.
“The biggest single source of plastic choking out the life in our oceans is made up of purposefully or accidentally lost, discarded, or abandoned fishing nets”
Scientists estimate that as much as 1,000,000 tons of abandoned fishing gear enter the oceans every year (1)—killing or injuring over 650,000 whales, turtles, dolphins, fish and other marine animals (2), while also damaging coral ecosystems. The World Wildlife Fund says fighting this “immortal menace” must be central in the fight against plastic pollution.
The problem has been further highlighted in the recent hit Netflix documentary, Seaspiracy. “The devastation [of industrial fishing] ranges from the extinction of marine life, to the decimation of the seafloor and mangrove habitat” said director, Ali Tabrizi in an interview.
This week, a grassroots movement launched that allows anyone to send an encouraging tweet to fishing companies, positively nudging them to donate to fund direct ghost net cleanup efforts.
“Swarm-invite industrial fishing companies to clean ocean plastics” reads at the top of the page, followed by what looks like a carnival-themed horse race. But instead of horses, fishing boats are lined up in a race—each boat representing one of 7 major fishing companies.
Website visitors can send pre-written tweets to the companies, directing them to donate and advance their virtual boats in the race.
The game was launched by Dollar Donation Club, a micro-donation platform that seems to enjoy fun and mischief as much as they are passionate about making social impact.
“This game isn’t about shaming fishing companies,” said Founder & CEO Seth Blaustein, “it’s a genuine call for us to collectively take responsibility for this horrific mess, and to unify around real solutions.”
“It’s shocking that the $270 billion dollar global fishing industry clearly plays a role in this ghost net pandemic, and yet doesn’t appear to be taking a leadership role in cleanup or prevention efforts. At the same time, here’s an organization with a proven cleanup solution who needs funding,” continued Blaustein.
“At least half of […ocean plastic in the great pacific garbage patch] is not consumer plastics, which are central to much of the current debate, but fishing gear.”
George Leonard, chief scientist at the Ocean Conservancy.
The funds are being directed to Ocean Voyages Institute, an organization that has been a leader in ocean conservation efforts since 1979, led by Mary Crowley. In 2020, Mary’s organization broke the world record for the largest cleanup of abandoned fishing gear in history—hauling over 340,000 lbs (3).
The plastic was processed through a variety of partners to ensure it never returns to a landfill or to the oceans. Partners included By Fusion, a technology that can convert plastics into durable construction materials.
“I believe 100% in stopping the flow of plastics into our ocean. However, we are at a point where there’s too much there,” said Mary Crowley. “What we’re doing right now helps save the lives of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, fish and reefs.”
In 2021, Ocean Voyages Institute is aiming to break the world record again, removing over 1,000,000 lbs of ghost nets. Funds raised go to the operational costs of the expedition, and it’s estimated that every $1 raised will help remove ⅓ lbs of ghost net from the North Pacific Trash Gyre.
For those interested in firing off an encouraging tweet, or donating to the effort themselves, visit https://dollardonationclub.com/big-fish
