Tackling the Silent Threat: Innovative Satellite Tracking to Combat Ghost Fishing

The Challenge: The Menace of Ghost Fishing

Plastic pollution in the world’s oceans is an alarming environmental crisis. Among the many contributors is "ghost fishing"—a term for abandoned or lost fishing gear that continues to trap and kill marine life indiscriminately. Lost nets, lines, and traps can remain active for years, entangling marine species and damaging sensitive habitats like coral reefs.

The Solution: NAOS Satellite Technology

In an effort to address this crisis, a breakthrough tracking device has emerged. NAOS, developed by CLS, is a simple and compact Argos-GNSS satellite buoy designed for the tracking and relocation of fishing gear, including lines, nets, pots, and Fish Aggregation Devices (FADs).

By combining satellite tracking with data analytics, NAOS supports environmental management and helps initiate recycling practices within a circular economy, preventing gear from becoming permanent ocean plastic.

Collaborative Impact

Combating ghost fishing requires a unified effort between the fishing community, engineers, and conservationists. By deploying these tracking devices, we can gain a deeper understanding of gear loss patterns, facilitate responsible fishing practices, and provide policymakers with the data needed to protect our marine ecosystems.

Through the adoption of such innovative technology, we can work towards a future where ghost fishing is a thing of the past, allowing our oceans to thrive.

Full Article & Source: This content is based on the original report by CLS Fisheries: Solution in Ghost Fishing: Tracking Device to Prevent Oceanic Plastic Pollution