Ghost Nets: Global Distribution in the Oceans

Ghost nets—abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear—accumulate wherever fishing occurs. Highest concentrations appear in:

• North Pacific: Around Japan, Korea, China, and the U.S. West Coast.
• North Atlantic: Off the UK, France, and Spain.
• Indian Ocean: Near India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.
• South Pacific: Around New Zealand and the Cook Islands.
• Southern Ocean: Antarctic waters.

Strong currents in these regions transport nets vast distances, entangling marine life and damaging habitats across ocean basins.