How many ghost traps are there in the world each year?

Every year, millions of fishing gear items – including traps, nets, and lines – are lost at sea. According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as much as 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear may disappear annually. These lost gears continue to catch fish and shellfish for years – a phenomenon known as ghost fishing.

The scope of the problem:
Several countries report significant trap losses each year:

• Norway: 20,000–30,000 traps lost annually

• USA (Maine): Around 250,000 lobster traps lost every year

• United Kingdom: Over 25,000 traps lost annually

• Australia: Tens of thousands of traps lost each year, especially in lobster and crab fisheries

Why does this happen?
🔹 Extreme weather and strong currents (40–50% of losses)
🔹 Theft and sabotage – a hidden but significant cause
🔹 Poor marking or fastening methods

What can we do?
Innovative solutions like TrapSaver™ can help reduce trap losses and minimize ghost fishing. By using retrieval technology and improving gear security, we can protect both the environment and valuable fishery resources.

Let’s work together for a more sustainable future for the fishing industry!