Abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) silently drifts through the Arafura and Timor Seas, entangling marine life and disrupting fisheries. Known as “ghost nets,” this stray gear continues to pose a persistent threat.
Recognising this pressing issue, 32 representatives from Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste convened in Cairns, Australia from 4-7 February 2025, for the First ALDFG Regional Workshop. Hosted by the Australian Government through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the workshop aimed to strengthen regional cooperation and develop strategies to tackle ghost nets at their source.
Dr Chris Wilcox of Wilco Analytics led an updated ALDFG Situational Analysis, offering insights into sources, trends, and movement across the region. Experts from CSIRO Australia, IPB University Indonesia, and PT Winjaya Mandiri Tintex (private sector) shared additional insights, supplemented by information from the workshop participants.
Findings confirmed that all four ATS countries have coastal gillnet fisheries, which likely contribute to ALDFG accumulation. However, gear distribution varies: Australia hosts most trawl fleets, while Indonesia leads in purse seine and gillnet fisheries. The highest concentrations of ghost nets were found in Aru-West Papua, near Merauke, and the Gulf of Carpentaria (GoC).
Policy changes in Indonesia since 2015 have influenced ALDFG trends, with increased fishing activity shifting gear loss patterns. Regional data showed that loss rates of fishing gear vary by type, with trawl gear experiencing the highest loss rates, followed by purse seines, while gillnets have the lowest. Across different fisheries, loss rates range from 1% to 11%, with factors such as vessel size, mechanisation, and GPS technology which help reduce losses. Meanwhile, bottom-contact fishing gears, large crew sizes, and the use of cheaper nets tend to result in higher loss rates. Seasonal monsoons also significantly influence ALDFG movement. During the Northwest monsoon, ghost nets from the Banda Sea drift into the ATS, while inputs from the Coral Sea remain minimal.
The updated ALDFG Situational Analysis provided a foundation for designing targeted interventions during the ToC session, led by Stuart Cowell of Conservation Management. This session focused on structured, solution-driven planning and aligned with the ATS Strategic Action Programme (SAP) 2024-2033. Participants mapped out results chains, outlining step-by-step plans to connect interventions with long-term outcomes. The discussion highlighted four key priorities: improving fishing practices to reduce gear loss, modifying gear and enhancing information sharing, collaboratively mapping high-risk areas, and expanding net recycling programs.
Building on workshop inputs, both the situational analysis and preliminary results chains will be further refined and finalised by March. These foundational efforts will serve as crucial guides towards the development of a Regional Action Plan (RAP) for ALDFG in the ATS region.
Looking ahead, workshop participants identified several key steps to advance these efforts. The final Situational Analysis and preliminary ToC reports will be shared with participating countries, followed by further consultations to finalise the ToC and define the pathway for RAP development. In-country scoping exercises will be conducted to strengthen or gather additional baseline data. A dedicated group will be established to guide ALDFG planning and initiatives, including defining its role and membership. Plans for pilot testing feasible operational interventions will be developed, and insights from these steps will be incorporated into the RAP to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.
Following the three-day workshop, a Ghost Nets Workshop Side Event took place on 7 February 2025, bringing together ranger groups from the Gulf region of Australia. Building on long-standing cultural and maritime ties in the Arafura and Timor Seas, the event focused on tackling the ongoing threat of ALDFG. Discussions highlighted shared challenges and community-driven solutions that can be adapted to local contexts. The session also reinforced ATSEA’s role in facilitating knowledge exchange and supporting ATS countries in developing effective national and regional strategies to address ALDFG.
The workshop reinforced a clear message that safeguarding the Arafura and Timor Seas is a shared responsibility. Collective action is key to effectively address ALDFG and protect the region’s marine resources.
By Kate Gallardo