Addressing ghost gear in Drini Bay

The estimated 640,000 tons of fishing gear lost, abandoned, or discarded annually exerts a largebut uncertain impact on marine species. Many turtles become entangled when they use the ghost net mats as shelter and as a food source, experiencing a long and painful death. The aim of this study was to determine the positions of ghost gear in Drini Bay, and then their removal where possible. To achieve this goal, three modules have been developed: (1) underwater survey, (2) removal of located ghost gear and (3) raising fishermen’s awareness. A 39.8% reduction in the amount of ghost gears in Drini Bay has caused 24% of turtles to be saved from getting stuck in lost nets. Based on the results, the effect of ghost gears on sea turtles populations is obvious. It is almost impossible to remove all the ghost gears from the seabed, but we can focus on awareness campaigns which have a very positive effect on fishermen, showing the very harmful effects of ghost gears on marine life, the sense of responsibility has been strengthened among fishermen to eliminate the intentional throwing of damaged nets into the sea.