RENEWED FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM OF GHOST GEAR FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF A SPERM WHALE IN DENMARK

Renewed Focus on the problem of ghost gear following the death of a sperm whale in Denmark. A recent incident off the coast of Denmark has drawn attention to the issue of abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)—commonly referred to as ghost gear.

Researchers have performed an autopsy on a 20-ton sperm whale that stranded early February near Aalbæk in North Jutland to find out why it died. A full 11.9 kilograms of fishing nets were found in the whale’s esophagus, resulting in it dying of starvation. The case serves as a reminder of the potential hazards that ghost gear can pose to marine life.

The incident also highlights a problem that, until relatively recently, was not widely considered a significant issue in Denmark. Prior to 2019, official assessments suggested that ALDFG was present only on a small and diffuse scale. However, work carried out in the Limfjorden, a large estuary in the north of the country, has since indicated a more complex situation.

Lessons from the Limfjord: From Two Nets to 41 Tonnes

In 2019, the Limfjords Council, working with local NGOs, began investigating what was initially thought to be a small number of lost nets. With the assistance of local commercial and recreational fishermen, it became apparent that the issue was more extensive.

The assumption had been that most gear was lost accidentally, for example due to bad weather or vessel traffic. However, an examination of recovered gear suggested otherwise. Many nets and pots showed signs of having been deliberately cut from their marker buoys, indicating that some gear may have been intentionally abandoned.

This practice is thought to be linked to the decline of fisheries in the Limfjord during the 1990s, which left much equipment unused. When lobster stocks later recovered, fishing became profitable once more. In the absence of local regulations, some fishermen deployed very large quantities of gear, partly to reserve fishing grounds. When nets and pots become fouled with debris or overgrown with marine organisms, the effort required to retrieve them can be considerable. In some instances, this appears to have led to the gear being cut loose and left in place.

It should be noted that many fishermen do not condone this practice. A number have cooperated with efforts to locate and remove ghost gear from the fjord. Through this collaboration, the Limfjords Council has now removed more than 41 tonnes of ghost gear from the area. This figure represents the dry weight of the recovered equipment.

KIMO’s Role: A Multi-Faceted Approach to a Persistent Problem

The work in the Limfjord is relevant to KIMO International, as Aalborg Municipality is a member of both the Limfjords Council and KIMO. This connection illustrates how local initiatives can form part of a broader network. KIMO’s engagement with the issue of ghost gear extends beyond this single project, encompassing research, practical guidance for municipalities, and participation in international discussions.

1. Research and Understanding: In 2021, KIMO Sweden funded research by Anna Axelsson, which resulted in a report titled “Haunted Sea.” Now available in English, the report examines the ecological consequences of ghost gear, including its continued capture of marine life, its contribution to microplastic pollution, and its impact on habitats and species. It notes that fisheries-related waste is estimated to account for around 27 per cent of marine debris in EU waters.
2. Practical Guidance for Municipalities: As a network of local governments, KIMO is able to translate research into practical advice. As a member of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), KIMO has helped promote a set of “Six Steps for Municipalities to Tackle Ghost Gear.” These are intended as a guide for local authorities seeking to address the problem. They include:

• • Supporting Port Reception Facilities: Ensuring that facilities for disposing of end-of-life gear are available and affordable.
  • Supporting Debris Retrieval Programmes: The GGGI has cited KIMO’s Fishing for Litter scheme as an example of good practice. The scheme provides fishermen with bags for collecting waste onboard, which is then landed and disposed of properly. It also helps to raise awareness of marine litter among the fishing community.
  • Raising Awareness: Recognising that fishermen are an important part of the solution.
  • Promoting Reporting: Encouraging the use of tools such as the GGGI’s Ghost Gear Reporter App to build a clearer picture of where gear is lost.
  • Planning for Extreme Weather: Helping ports develop plans to minimise gear loss during storms.
  • Helping Repurpose Gear: Supporting recycling initiatives, such as the marine recycling centre in the Swedish municipality of Sotenäs, a KIMO member.

3. Facilitating Discussion and Sharing Best Practice: In 2022, KIMO co-hosted an international webinar on ghost nets with the Netherlands’ Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The seminar reviewed current knowledge on the sources of stranded nets in the North Atlantic. One finding was that much of the netting found on coastlines consists of smaller offcuts, suggesting that improved waste management practices onboard vessels could make a significant difference. This reinforced the value of best-practice guidelines, such as those previously developed through KIMO’s net cuttings project.
4. Promoting Gear Marking initiatives: KIMO is currently working with HELCOM and the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management to develop a set of reports, information materials and best practice guides for recreational fishers to encourage gear marking as a tool to prevent gear loss.

Conclusion

The death of the sperm whale off Aalbæk is a notable example of the wider impact of ghost gear. The clean-up work in the Limfjord, supported by the European Union and the Danish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, shows what can be achieved through local cooperation. KIMO’s broader programme of work—combining research, practical tools for municipalities, and international collaboration—represents a sustained effort to address this form of marine pollution and to reduce its impact on the marine environment.

Image: A ghost net in the Limfjord. KIMO International

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