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A hawksbill turtle escaping from a ghost
net. Photo: Djawa Yunupingu, Director Dhimurru Land Management
Aboriginal Corporation. Courtesy Carpentaria Ghost Net Programme
& Dhimurru Land Management Aboriginal Corporation.
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One of the greatest threats to the isolated coastlines of the
Gulf of Carpentaria is Ghost Nets—abandoned fishing nets that
wash up on the beaches causing extensive damage to the environment.
The Gulf of Carpentaria acts as a catchment for all Ghost Nets from
the Indo/Pacific region.
90% of the marine debris is of a fishing nature and originates
from all parts of south east Asia. Once the Ghost Nets are in the
Gulf, due to the circular current they are stuck in an endless
cycle of fishing, getting washed ashore and then washed back into
the water during a storm or king tide event.
On the eastern side of the Gulf (western Cape York) the nets
arrive during the monsoonal season from November to March while on
the western shores the nets get swept in during the south east
trade winds mainly between May – September.
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A crocodile remains belly-up after being tangled
in an Indonesian trawl net.
Photo: Jackie Castellaine, Aurukun Community Council. Courtesy:
Carpentaria Ghost Net Programme.
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Ghost Nets, or any marine debris, impact upon coastal ecology as
well as degrading the the appearance of coastlines. Since 1996, 205
stranded turtles have been recorded on Cape Arnhem alone, including
four of the marine turtle species listed as either endangered or
vulnerable under Australian legislation. The floating nets also
create havoc with navigation and the safe operation of vessels at
sea, fouling propellers, rudders and even engine intakes. Over 200
different types of nets have been identified to date.
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Ghost nets and driftwood form a beach sculpture
at Amaban, near Aurukun Community.
Photo: Jackie Castellaine, Aurukun Community Council. Courtesy:
Carpentaria Ghost Net Programme
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The Carpentaria Ghost Net Programme, funded by the Natural
Heritage Trust, is operating a "6R" project to:
- Remove the Ghost Nets from the Gulf of Carpentaria
coastline and waters.
- Record the numbers, size and location of the Ghost Nets
found.
- Rescue animals trapped in the nets
- Report about the activities that the community have done
to improve people’s awareness about the Ghost Net issue.
- Reduce the number of Ghost Nets in the Gulf of
Carpentaria by working together
- Research factors that influence the distribution,
abundance, movement and impact of Ghost Nets in the Gulf.
Two Project Officers (one for Queensland and one for Northern
Territory) work closely with the Indigenous Rangers in developing
and implementing annual work plans that detail the how, why, where
etc of cleanup and monitoring activities, the equipment, training
and other resources they need. On-ground clean ups are the
responsibility of Indigenous ranger and community groups (see map
below.) These communities are represented on the Steering
Committee, along with non-government organisations. Government
agencies are involved in Steering Committee meetings in an advisory
role.
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Location of Indigenous Ranger Organisations
&/or communities participating in the Carpentaria Ghost Net
Programme
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