‘Industrial scale killing machines’: Growing threat to QLD’s oceans revealed

A growing threat to Queensland’s oceans have been described as “industrial scale killing machines”, as discarded, kilometres-long “ghost nets” are being found off the state’s coast.

A growing threat to Queensland’s oceans have been described as “industrial scale killing machines”, as discarded, kilometres-long “ghost nets” from foreign fishing vessels are being found off the state’s coast – with the most recent find weighing more than an elephant.

"Ghost netting" discarded from a foreign fishing vessel weighing more than five tonnes. Picture: Supplied, Australian Fisheries Management Authority

The discarded netting, retrieved out of waters in The Gulf of Carpentaria, weighed more than five-tonnes and contained live coral, clams and shellfish, as well as dead whaler sharks, mackerel and crabs.

They bring the risk of introducing pests and invasive species into the waters, injure or kill marine animals, as well as creating safety hazards impacting shipping or navigation.

Environmental Minister Tanya Plibersek said ”ghost nets” discarded from foreign fishing vessels could be kilometres long and were increasingly drifting into sensitive marine environments.

“These are industrial scale killing machines, catching and drowning dugongs, sharks, whales, turtles and other animals,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Removing these nets is important for the protection of marine species and the safety of those who work in and enjoy our marine environment.”

A joint operation involving the indigenous rangers, Australian Fisheries Management Authority Parks Australia, Northern Prawn Fishing Industry and Austral Fisheries was use to secure and remove the five-tonne ghost net out of The Gulf of Carpentaria waters.

It is understood to have come from foreign fishing vessels operating in waters north of Australia and is the largest of its kind found in the gulf.

The nets, once cut loose, are known to drift unchecked, indiscriminately catching marine species.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Currents and conditions in the Timor Sea and Torres Strait mean many of the ghost nets accumulate in The Gulf of Carpentaria, according to the Environment Department.

In an operation earlier this year, 27 indigenous rangers took part in a nine day operation in the gulf and located 2,559 ghost nets.

The Federal Government is spending about $15 million to combat ghost nets and plastic debris in the waters of Northern Australia.

Austral Fisheries CEO David Carter said the industry was proud to partner with government agencies to remove mountains of discarded equipment.

“Our fishing industry is on the front line of Australia’s maritime borders and well placed to detect and respond to ghost nets and to assist with other threats such as illegal fishing,” Mr Carter said.

According to a recent Parks Australia report there is “no simple solution to facilitate the recycling of ghost nets and other marine debris in Northern Australia”.

But the report advocated for the creation of centralised preprocessing hub to sort retrieved materials, before seeking to establish a regional recycling industry in Far North Queensland and the Northern Territory.