Lost nets and fishing gear could be removed from the ocean using new technology in a move that would help reduce the risk of sea life being injured or dying from human debris in the ocean.

Known as "ghost nets", the equipment can choke coral reefs, damage habitats, trap fish, birds and mammals. The nets also break down over time, adding to the amount of microplastic (plastic less than 5mm long) clogging up the sea and finding its way into the food chain.

Researchers from Newcastle University say the NetTag project could help by attaching low-cost location devices to fishing gear to help retrieve it if it goes adrift, as can often happen during storms.

The 'transponders' would be around the size of a match box and cost around £100. The nets themselves can cost thousands, with developers highlighting that there is a financial incentive for fishermen to get involved in the project as well as environmental.

Image: A circuit board and transducer which create the miniature acoustic transponder

The boxes have to have a low power consumption for the battery to last months in the water. It is designed to only reply with a low volume "ping" when it picks up a tracking signal within its range, meaning sea life will not be constantly disturbed by the devices.


Once located, either fishermen or the fisheries authorities will collect the equipment.

Jeff Neasham, senior lecturer in the School of Engineering, said: "We want to achieve a win-win scenario where modest investment by fishermen can be more than paid back, by avoiding the loss of valuable assets, while also significantly reducing a major source of plastic pollution in the marine environment."

Image: A miniature acoustic undersea transponder, used to locate fishing nets, mounted on the nose of an autonomous underwater vehicle

Mr Neasham added: "These devices don't sit there and transmit continuously, making a racket all the time; they sit and listen and they only talk if a unit on the surface accesses them to talk.

"We are not creating a big environmental problem with noise emissions - they will only talk if someone is in range searching for them."

:: Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign encourages people to reduce their single-use plastics. You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved at www.skyoceanrescue.com.