Three people working with a large green fishing net on rocks by the sea.
Three people working with a large green fishing net on rocks by the sea. Three people working with a large green fishing net on rocks by the sea.

Report Ghost Gear

REPORT A FISHING NET OR OTHER FORM OF GHOST GEAR

If you encounter a significant fishing net, rope or other form of ghost gear at sea or on the coastline, please submit the form below including as much information as possible. We'll endeavour to recover the ghost gear, or collaborate with other volunteers and organisations to do so, and then collect for recycling.

Our base for drop-offs of collected fishing gear for recycling is near Newquay, Cornwall, or in Fishguard in Wales via the Seatrust. However, please still report findings across the UK as we can direct your report to more local organisations, or even arrange transport.

Report Ghost Gear Form

Note, our recovery capacity is limited to Cornwall, and sometimes it's not economical for us to respond to every report. However we'll do our best to direct your report to other local organisations where possible to ensure the gear is recovered efficiently.

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WITNESSED A GHOST GEAR ENTANGLEMENT?

Entanglements (of fishing gear or any other forms) of a live animal should be reported immediately. You're advised not to approach the animal, as you may scare it away from help or risk injury from the stressed animal yourself. 

For marine mammals, contact:
BDMLR RESCUE HOTLINE: 01825 765546 (24hr) or RSPCA

Other forms of marine life:
RSPCA hotline (England & Wales): 0300 1234 999
SSPCA hotline (Scotland): 03000 999 999

For dead strandings:
In Cornwall (Marine Strandings Network): 0345 201 2626
In England & Wales(CSIP): 0800 6520333
In Scotland (SMAS): 07979 245893

Sign up to do your own clean up with Surfers Against Sewage

Take part in the Million Mile Clean. You can join a clean in your local area by checking the map here, or by organising your own. Whether you want to take part in a big community event or do it solo, every clean counts.

For more information check out the FAQ page here, or contact the team at Millionmileclean@sas.org.uk

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