If you have ever strolled along one of Australia’s remote beaches, you may have admired the pristine sands and turquoise waters.
But look a little closer, and you will see a detail that is both alarming and heartbreaking.
It is a threat silently lurking beneath the surface—one that affects our unique marine life and ecosystems.
It is a $17 billion problem that is not only persisting but worsening.
Ghost nets: The deadly drift beneath the surface
Ghost nets—those abandoned, lost or discarded fishing nets—are a silent menace.
They drift for years, trapping everything in their path: turtles, dolphins, dugongs, even the occasional buffalo. These nets do not discriminate, and their impact is devastating.
Since 2021, Indigenous rangers in Arnhem Land have hauled out a staggering 140,000 kilograms of rubbish and 800 ghost nets from the Top End’s remote beaches and bays.
Often, this backbreaking work is done by hand, in searing heat, and in places accessible only for a few weeks each year. But this vital clean-up effort is now under threat.
The federally funded Ghost Net Initiative, which has powered these clean-ups since 2021, is set to expire at the end of June—and there is no guarantee it will be renewed.
For the rangers and communities on the front line, the uncertainty is a ‘huge blow’ to work that is not just important but critical.
Why should we care?
It is not just about unsightly rubbish. Ghost nets and plastic debris are turning vibrant marine habitats into graveyards.
Turtles, dolphins and countless other creatures become entangled, lacerated or strangled.
Some beaches may look clean at first glance, but as senior ranger Clive Nunggarrgalu points out, ‘the rubbish is underneath the sand’.
The problem is so severe that the Gulf of Carpentaria is now considered the world’s worst hotspot for ghost gear.
Globally, between 8 and 10 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year. Experts warn that, within 25 years, there could be more plastic in the sea than fish.
In Australia alone, marine plastic pollution is estimated to cause $17.3 billion a year in ecosystem damage, and local governments spend about $132 million annually just on clean-up costs.
Technology meets tradition: Drones, AI and Indigenous knowledge
Thanks to the Ghost Net Initiative, rangers have been able to combine traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technology.
Drones and artificial intelligence (AI) software now help spot ghost nets from the air, even fragments as small as 50 centimetres.
The AI analyses images and sends exact coordinates to rangers, who then trek out to retrieve the nets.
It is a high-tech solution to a very old problem—and it is working—but only as long as the funding lasts.
A global problem, a local solution
While ghost nets are a global issue, northern Australia is at the epicentre.
The Indigenous Ranger Coastal Clean-up Project has supported 22 Indigenous ranger groups and involved 3,400 people.
The government has also invested in regional partnerships, working with Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Papua New Guinea to tackle marine pollution together.
But as those on the ground will tell you, global plans mean little without boots in the sand.
‘Our rangers must be funded properly to do this work,’ says the Northern Land Council.
Without continued support, the progress made could quickly unravel, and the beaches cleared just weeks ago could once again be choked with deadly debris.
What’s next?
At the time of writing, the future of the Ghost Net Initiative hangs in the balance. Parks Australia says its continuation depends on future budget decisions.
Meanwhile, rangers and communities are left waiting, hoping for a commitment that will allow them to keep protecting the Top End’s precious coastlines.
Have your say
Have you noticed ghost nets or plastic pollution on your local beaches? Do you think enough is being done to tackle this $17 billion problem?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—your voice could help keep this critical issue in the spotlight.
Also read: One Australian turned rubbish into $15,000—could you do the same?
