Joint media release: Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Immigration and Border Protection
Following a joint operation by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and Maritime Border Command (MBC) within the Australian Border Force (ABF), a large ghost net has been removed from the Arafura Sea, north-east of Darwin.
The abandoned gillnet was sighted by Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Byron south of the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone (AEEZ) boundary, North West of Cape Wessel during patrol on 29 September 2016.
ADV Cape Byron, spent several hours retrieving the 800 metre net weighing one tonne. During the retrieval, a number of turtles were released unharmed and a quantity of fish were found dead and discarded.
800 metre ghost net retrieved from the Arafura Sea, north-east of Darwin
AFMA arranged for the recovery of the net and is in discussion to provide a piece of the net to an Australian gallery for use in a ghost net display. The rest of the net will be split between indigenous art centres Pormpuraaw Art & Cultural Centre Incorporated and Erub Arts, Darnley Island Art Centre to be turned into ghost net art.
AFMA’s General Manager of Operations, Peter Venslovas, said this latest retrieval was a great outcome; both in removing the threat to the marine life and that the net will now be used to highlight the damage ghost nets inflict on the marine environment.
“Ghost nets wreak havoc on our oceans and AFMA is committed to working with other Australian Government agencies to ensure that this threat continues to be minimised,” Mr Venslovas said.
“Recycling ghost nets for the purposes of art raises public awareness about the impacts abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear have on our oceans.”
Commander Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral Peter Laver, said this operation again illustrates the ABF’s commitment to protecting Australia’s maritime environment.
“Our marine officers play an important role in safeguarding the natural resources and unique biodiversity found across our maritime border,” Rear Admiral Laver said.
“Maritime Border Command is committed to protecting our wildlife by removing these ghost nets. If you do encounter a ghost net I would urge you to report it to Border Watch on 1800 009 623.”
More information on how Australia is working to combat illegal fishing can be found at afma.gov.au.
ENDS
Media contacts:
AFMA: media@afma.gov.au or 0437 869 860
Immigration and Border Protection: (02) 6264 2244