Ghost Nets: Potential Catastrophic Environmental Disaster

When you read an article such as this you can imagine the separation mentality of the fishermen who only see their self interest. There would be no thought for marine life, corals or the environment. I wonder how many people actually imagine what it must be like for a fish to die or another to suffocate. Fishermen would be so used to just pulling wildlife out of the sea and killing it. They would see it as their livelihood. Albeit I have met a few fishermen that actually felt a great love for the ocean and saw some amazing wildlife. I recall chatting to these men in New Zealand. It is that reverence for life and responsible balance that will enable the fish stocks to be stable and for us to cohabit the earth with other species. If we can’t find the sacred balance then we ultimately will lose. The planet is one ecosystem and what humans do to nature will return to humans. It is so important that there is a shift in consciousness to ensure responsible stewardship of our world.

Imagine a world where people’s livelihoods are not connected to money but based on cooperative societies deeply in harmony with nature. Where all life is honoured, including human life. Where we come into an understanding that the wealth of a few creates the poverty of the many and ultimately undermines our own life support. We are each others keepers.

Money was invented when the planet had abundant resources for all.  It has been the money system which has disconnected people from their connection to nature. Indigenous tribes remind us of that love of mother nature. What we see today is just ignorance and self interest growing. We have no choice but to shift to a new way of being.  Having said that, we always have choice.

In 2050 it is estimated that all fish stocks will be fished out. Then what kids? Do we take responsibility or just let it go?

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/wa/14059168/net-strangles-marine-life/

Net strangles marine life
Flip Prior, The West Australian Updated June 28, 2012, 3:36 am

Sharks, coral and other marine life have been found entangled or starved to death in a 5km-long, 14-tonne “ghost net” believed discarded from an illegal fishing vessel at the Rowley Shoals.

Mermaid Reef, where the net was found, has been under protection by the Commonwealth since 1991 and is part of marine reserves announced this month by Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke.

A customs vessel spotted the net at the reef several weeks ago.

Broome brothers Chaz and Chris Kennedy, who operate the Karma IV fishing charter vessel and have a contract with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, acted after getting a call to assist.

After a 15-hour overnight trip from Broome, the professional divers arrived to find the net drifting.

It was bundled but sections had broken off and spread, strangling corals over about 1000sqkm.

Chaz Kennedy said had the net fully unfurled, the effect on the environment would have been catastrophic. Luckily, it appeared to have been in the water only for a few weeks, because of the lack of marine growth on it. He said the design showed it came from Asia.

“It had been estimated at two tonnes but it would have to have been pushing 15 tonnes,” Mr Kennedy said. “When you approached it diving, you could see the lead line and the net all tangled among the coral rises.”

As the divers worked to untangle the net over eight hours, they found a reef shark had become trapped after eating something stuck in the net. “We had to pick the net out of its teeth underwater,” Mr Kennedy said.

It took 38 hours to tow the stinking net back to Broome.

Department of Fisheries marine officers inspected the net to make sure it held no introduced pests, then it was destroyed. Mr Kennedy said ghost net sightings had increased as governments “turned a blind eye” to illegal fishermen to focus on boat people.