Miniature transponders to be used in the war against ocean plastic

Lost fishing gear – known as ghost nets – are a major threat to life in our oceans.  Choking coral reefs, damaging marine habitats and entangling fish, marine mammals and seabirds, they are also a danger to boats, catching in the propellers.  And they are a key source of plastic pollution, gradually breaking up and disintegrating to add to the growing volume of microplastics in the ocean.

Often lost during storms or in strong currents, the nets can travel long distances and can continue to fish for years afterwards – hence the phrase ghost fishing.  Because of this, locating and removing the nets is both highly desirable and a major challenge.

See press release  for full details.

Last modified: Wed, 01 May 2019 13:14:58 BST