The initiative launched by the Ministry for Agriculture and fisheries towards the recovery of lost fishing gear out at sea, has been welcomed by Nature Trust – FEE Malta.

The NGO in a statement on Saturday said, ”this EU funded initiative is very welcoming news as it will not only help in decreasing marine debris in our sea but will save hundreds of marine animals from deaths or injuries caused often by ghost fishing equipment that would have gone missing for fishermen.”

Nature Trust went on to say that it feels this scheme is a ”win-win situation” as not only will this initiative help fishermen recover lost gear, but also help marine biodiversity and make our seas cleaner.

”NTM Wildlife Rescue Section rescues various turtles each year that end up entangled in such lost gear. Some end up even losing a flipper because of the entanglement, or even worse others end up drowning,” the NGO said. Two years ago a turtle was rescued from such entanglement and it had lost three flippers.

The NGO added that it has also received reports of dead dolphins, especially juveniles that try to feed on fish caught in such gear and end up entangled with the result of either drowning or losing their tail which too results in a cruel death.Lost fishing gear is also often seen close to shore and reported by divers, said Nature Trust Malta. Earlier this year diving NGOs lifted a ghost net close to the Cirkewwa dive site, it said

Nature Trust concluded by urging all fishermen to participate in such a positive initiative and report lost gear to the Fisheries directorate. It also thanked those fishermen who recover turtles that need medical care and reminded the public that the wildlife rescue line no is 9999 9505.

Photos by Nature Trust Wildlife Rescue of rescued turtles found entangled in the Maltese Islands

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