Fishing supports thousands of people across the Arafura and Timor Seas and plays a key role in Indonesia’s fisheries economy. However, as fishing activity expands, so does the problem of Abandoned, Lost, or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), often referred to as ghost gear. In busy fishing areas like Merauke and Dobo, ALDFG is a growing concern. “When nets go missing, it’s not just a loss of money, it’s a danger to the ocean. Fish get trapped and die for no reason” added Daud, a fisher from Dobo.

To better understand this issue, a study was carried out by IPB University in collaboration with the ATSEA Program and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. The assessment focused on three key fishing hubs: Merauke, Dobo, and Jakarta, which represent different types of fishing activity within Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 718 in the Arafura Sea. The objective was to measure the extent of fishing gear loss, identify the contributing factors, and develop practical recommendations for reducing its impact.

More than 4,000 fishing vessels were recorded operating in this management area, with gillnets as the most widely used gear type. In Merauke, gillnets are used almost universally, while in Dobo they remain common but less dominant. Each year, fishers in these two areas lose between one and sixty nets, resulting in significant economic losses. In Merauke, the estimated value of lost nets reaches up to IDR 216 million annually. Such losses directly affect fishing productivity and household income, particularly among small-scale fishers.

Beyond the numbers, interviews with fishers revealed that most gear loss occurs due to strong currents, rough weather, or nets becoming entangled on the seabed. Additional causes include entanglement during multi-vessel operations and accidental damage while hauling or setting nets. In some cases, damaged gear is abandoned because it cannot be repaired or because there are no collection or recycling facilities available at nearby ports. The lack of onshore management systems for used gear has contributed to an increasing amount of ghost gear in the Arafura Sea.

A fault tree analysis was used to trace the root causes of fishing gear loss. The results identified eight key factors, including limited access to technology, low awareness among fishers, weak law enforcement, and the absence of effective collection and recycling systems. These findings indicate that the problem is not caused by a single factor but by a combination of operational challenges, management gaps, and limited infrastructure.

Findings show that most ALDFG comes from damaged nets left behind, gear lost during night operations, or extreme weather. Sometimes nets get caught in other fishers’ gear. Knowing these causes helps design better interventions.

Based on the findings, several strategies have been proposed to prevent and reduce gear loss. Education and awareness programs are essential for improving fishers’ understanding of responsible gear management. Technological solutions such as gear marking and tracking systems using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Global Positioning System (GPS) can help identify and retrieve lost nets more efficiently. Establishing collection points and recycling facilities at ports would provide a sustainable solution for end-of-life gear while creating new opportunities for local businesses to turn discarded nets into valuable products.

The outcomes of this assessment are used to support Indonesia’s contribution to the Regional Action Plan on ALDFG under the ATSEA Program. This plan promotes regional collaboration to address marine pollution and encourages practical, science-based solutions that balance ecological and economic priorities in the Arafura and Timor Seas.

Understanding how and why fishing gear is lost provides a foundation for action. The next step is to strengthen systems that prevent gear loss, improve coordination among stakeholders, and support communities with the knowledge and tools needed to manage their resources more effectively. Through these efforts, the Arafura Sea can remain a productive fishing ground that sustains both marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of the people who depend on it.

By Dr Mochammad Riyanto (IPB University)