PHANGNGA, THAILAND – A specialist dive team removed abandoned fishing gear and ghost nets from a deep-sea coral reef in Mu Ko Similan National Park, preventing serious harm to marine animals.
Discovery of abandoned fishing devices
Rangers from Mu Ko Similan National Park spotted two large drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) near Koh Payan, also known as Similan No. 3, during a patrol on Thursday. According to park management, the floating devices had dragged along lost or discarded fishing nets.
These nets were pulled into an extensive field of fan corals at a depth of about 45 metres, park chief Siriwat Suebsai said on Friday. The gear became entangled across the sensitive deep-reef habitat.
Delicate recovery at 45 metres
Following the sighting, a specialised dive team was deployed to the area. Underwater, the divers found a massive bundle of nets and ropes tightly wrapped around fan corals, a slow-growing coral species considered particularly important for the reef ecosystem.
After assessing the damage, the divers opted for a step-by-step recovery operation. This approach was chosen to avoid further stressing the brittle coral structures and to prevent additional breaks or tears.
2,000 kilograms of ghost nets brought to surface
The team eventually managed to detach the entire intertwined mass of FADs and so-called ghost nets in one piece. Using lifting equipment, they brought the roughly 2,000-kilogram bundle to the surface, where the material was handed over for proper disposal.
The operation leadership stressed that raising the net conglomerate as a closed unit had been crucial. This prevented loose pieces of net from drifting away again and creating new hazards for marine animals.
Dangerous consequences for sea and people
Siriwat Suebsai warned that abandoned ghost nets pose a serious threat to marine habitats. He said they can trap and drown turtles, dolphins, sharks and dugongs when they drift uncontrolled in the sea or remain lying across reefs.
“Ghost nets break coral structures, cover entire reef areas like a blanket and gradually disintegrate into microplastics that enter the food chain and ultimately also affect human health.”
said Siriwat Suebsai, park chief.
Role of FADs and growing criticism
FADs are floating or anchored artificial objects designed to attract pelagic fish species such as tuna, mahi-mahi or wahoo. They make it easier for industrial and small-scale fisheries to catch these species.
Although such systems were used worldwide and were considered efficient, they faced increasing criticism. Lost or abandoned FADs contributed significantly to ocean pollution and were associated with high bycatch rates.
Call for stronger marine protection
The successful recovery not only protected threatened species and a sensitive deep-sea coral ecosystem, Siriwat Suebsai said. It also sent a clear signal about the need for joint efforts to safeguard the country’s marine environment.
According to the park administration, the incident off Koh Payan highlighted the importance of tighter controls and better disposal routes for fishing gear. A more responsible use of FADs by the fishing industry was seen as vital to prevent similar threats in future.