Geisternetze
Ghost nets
Ghost nets" are fishing nets which are lost in heavy seas or which are deliberately disposed of in the sea. The Federal Environment Agency estimates that there are 20,000 ghost nets per year in the North Atlantic alone, with a total length of 1,250 kilometres. These then float uncontrollably in the sea or get caught on the seabed. They become a death trap for fish and other marine species.
Scallops, known as dolly ropes, are used in fishing to protect fishing nets from fouling when in contact with the seabed. These wear products reach the marine environment in large numbers. Many birds strangulate themselves in this material, drown or starve because they can not free themselves (Föhr - "Plastikfrei wird Trend").