Haunted by ghost nets

Limfjorden, a scenic waterway winding through Northern Denmark, is the country's largest fjord and a vital natural and cultural resource. But high numbers of lost or abandoned fishing nets - known as ghost nets - are threatening the fjord's biodiversity, prompting the 18 municipalities surrounding the fjord to come together in an EU-funded project to tackle the problem.

Biodiversity under threat

Ghost nets are often made from durable plastics like nylon that continue to trap marine life long after their owners have gone. Crabs, lobsters, fish, seabirds and even marine mammals become accidental victims, ensnared in these silent killers. Over time, the nets degrade into microplastics, polluting the water and entering the food chain.

To get to grips with this growing problem, a massive clean-up operation has been launched by the Limfjordsrådet project, which is supported by supported by funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Since the first clean-up took place in the spring of 2024, some 41 tonnes of ghost nets have been collected, and almost 75% of the fjord covered by clean-up expeditions. The project will run until the summer of 2026 by which time it is hoped the whole of the fjord will have been cleared of nets.

Local efforts supported by technology

Local commercial and recreational fishers have proven critical in identifying hotspots where ghost nets are likely to be found, and anyone who spots a ghost net can register it via the project's online tool. This has helped Limfjordsrådet estimate the scale of the problem and ensure that no nets are left behind during recovery operations. "The digital reporting platform has transformed how we respond to ghost nets-making our efforts faster, smarter, and more targeted," says Anne Svenningsen, project manager at Limfjordsrådet.

Ghost nets are mostly recovered by larger vessels, although in sensitive areas such as shallow reefs, eelgrass beds, or mussel banks, ghost nets are visually located from small boats or with the help of drones.

Prevention as part of the solution

But successful as the clean-up operations have been, the real key to long-term sustainability is reducing the number of nets lost or abandoned in the first place. Thanks to the Limfjordsrådet project, all fishers must now report lost or abandoned gear to the Danish Fisheries Agency (Fiskeristyrelsen), which Anne Svenningsen says helps to reinforce accountability among the fishing community: "Prevention is just as important as clean-up. By improving reporting and accountability, we're tackling the problem at its root."

More information

Website of the project: Liv i Limfjorden - Fri for Spøgelsesnet - Limfjordsrådet

Social media: Liv i Limfjorden | Facebook

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