Boosting ocean health by extending the Ghost Nets Initiative

The Australian Government is extending the highly successful Ghost Nets Initiative, committing $25 million over 4 years from 2025–26 to continue critical work removing deadly ghost nets and marine debris from northern Australia’s coastlines and waters. 

Ghost nets (abandoned, lost or discarded fishing nets) and other marine debris drift into Australia from the Arafura and Timor seas, and northern Australia experiences some of the highest densities in the world. 

These nets pose a serious threat to marine species such as turtles and dugongs and can damage fragile ecosystems when they wash ashore. Since its launch in 2021, the Ghost Nets Initiative has delivered cultural, environmental and economic benefits for remote First Nations communities. 

The program has engaged Indigenous rangers from 24 ranger groups, who have removed more than 950 ghost nets and 180 tonnes of marine debris from beaches across the north, with a particular focus on the Gulf of Carpentaria. 

In addition, a new regional ghost nets monitoring program will be created in partnership with Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste through the Arafura and Timor Seas Ecosystem Action program. 

The monitoring program will improve the identification of ghost net hotspots and support a regional plan to deal with them. Working closely with our regional neighbours will help reduce nets and debris entering our shared waters and improve how we track, detect and respond to this major environmental threat.