Mission "Stone & Pots": First Ghost Net Salvage in Ireland

August 13, 2018 Mainly lobster traps are to be salvaged

Ghost nets kill millions of marine animals every year. The Dutch Ghost Fishing Foundation, together with the Society for the Salvation of Dolphins e. V. (GRD), plans to salvage ghost nets on the west coast of Ireland from September 3 to 6, 2018.

The coastal waters of Ireland are known for their breathtaking biodiversity - there are up to 24 whale and dolphin species there. Now for the first time in this area a salvage of deadly traps – ghost nets and lobster pots takes place here.

Fishing with nets is prohibited on the west coast of Ireland. An exploratory mission in May 2018 revealed that countless lobster pots lie on the bottom of the sea, their catch baskets and cords continue to fish and kill countless sharks, fish and crustaceans. "For the preservation of the marine biodiversity, it is very important to end the senseless dying" explains biologist Verena Platt-Till, who is participating as a diver for the GRD ( Gesellschaft zur Rettung der Delphine e.V.) at the action.

The "Stone & Pots" mission, which originated at the scuba diving school "Scubadive West" in Galway, Ireland, is conducted by six divers on a voluntary basis. Depending on the condition of the salvaged lobster pots, they should be returned to the Irish fishermen in order to be able to reuse them.

The local community is cordially invited to attend a presentation by the Ghost Fishing Foundation and a beach clean-up of the team on September 6, 2018. Interested parties can find more information regarding the mission "Stone & Pots" on Facebook: facebook.com/ghostnetsIreland.

The mission is made possible by the support of: Gesellschaft zur Rettung der Delphine e.V. (GRD), LUSH GmbH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, Diving Award of Diving magazine and Dapper Tatoo.