Early results confirm effectiveness of WWF Net Kit in tracking debris
13 Mar 2003
DARWIN: Nineteen different types of dumped fishing nets have been reported and net samples sent to WWF-Australia following the recent launch of a WWF-Australia guide to help track the origin of tonnes of marine debris washing ashore along the northern Australian coastline.
The illustrated guide, which was launched in December last year, lists net mesh and twine size, colour, net use and probable country of origin. It was devised and published by WWF-Australia to enable easy identification of more than 90 types of discarded fishing nets that are creating mountains of litter, damaging fishing boats and causing the deaths of protected marine species.
Over 350 copies have already been distributed free to commercial and recreational fishers, Indigenous communities, Australian Customs, Parks and Wildlife and other government groups. The guide was funded by a Coast and Clean Seas Grant through Environment Australia's National Heritage Trust.
"The Kit has already achieved good results and we have received very positive feedback regarding its overall effectiveness, " says Linda Cuttriss, WWF-Australia's Arafura Ecoregion Program Manager.
"Responses have been recorded from an area spanning the Ashmore Reef to the Gulf of Carpentaria. We have recorded 19 different net types from the reports, including one new net type."
Ms Cuttriss said the majority of nets reported appeared to originate from manufacturers in Taiwan. She said that roughly 26 per cent of nets reported were from Taiwan, 21 per cent were from Indonesia and 16 per cent were from Korea. Only two net samples were from Australia.
Discarded fishing nets, or 'ghost nets', floating in open waters are a threat to protected marine species such as turtles, sharks and dugong through entanglement and ingestion of synthetic materials.
"One discarded fishing net reported by users of the WWF Net Kit contained six green turtles which were all subsequently disentangled and released alive, "said Ms Cuttriss.
"If these people had not been using the kit, the net may have gone unnoticed and the six endangered turtles may have died."
The waterproof guide contains data sheets which can be filled out and faxed or mailed to WWF-Australia's Darwin office. WWF is using the reports to build a database to log the probable country of origin of discarded nets.
"This database will help WWF to work with national governments and fisheries in the region to develop solutions to the pressing economic, cultural and ecological problems caused by marine debris," said Ms Cuttriss.
"Marine debris has a huge impact on marine wildlife in the northern region. Over the past five years, Dhimurru Rangers have found 200 turtles entangled in fishing nets near Cape Arnhem and local fishers say there are areas near Cape Wessel where the waters are literally choked with discarded fishing gear," she said.
Marine debris found during WWF surveys on northern Australian beaches includes derelict fishing nets, plastic strapping bands, crates, buoys and floats. Last year, a WWF survey collected over 3 tonnes of debris from 16 km of beaches.?
Copies of the WWF-Australia Net Kit can be obtained by contacting Karen Cook? via email at kcook@wwf.org.au on 08 8941 7554.
