On October 16, WildAid, an international environmental organization, hosted a marine conservation event in Beijing aimed at promoting the retrieval, recycling, and reuse of abandoned fishing gear to reduce oceanic trash pollution.
The event featured a screening of the micro-documentary series “No Net Left Behind,” produced by WildAid in collaboration with Youku and guided by the First Institute of Oceanography under the Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Fishing Vessel Fishing Gear Industry Association. Notable participants included WildAid ambassadors Huang Xuan and Zhang Yufei.
The issue of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear poses a significant challenge globally, with estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicating that 10% of ocean debris consists of such gear. This discarded material, whether floating or submerged, transforms into “ghost nets,” creating deadly traps for marine life. These ghost nets not only threaten the survival of various ocean species and fisheries but also damage coral reefs and seagrass beds, compromising the health of marine ecosystems and their resilience to climate change. Ultimately, this situation impacts the livelihoods and well-being of millions worldwide.
WildAid, focusing on “using communication to protect,” aims to raise public awareness of the abandoned fishing gear crisis through the documentary series “No Net Left Behind.”
Two prominent figures in the documentary, WildAid ambassador Huang Xuan and marine guardian Zhang Yufei, shared their insights during the event. Huang, an avid diver, participated in an underwater retrieval mission for ghost nets in Hainan and interacted with local fishermen in Qionghai’s Tanmen Town to learn about gear recycling efforts. He noted, “This challenging experience made me realize that while manual retrieval is a direct solution, it’s difficult and costly to implement on a large scale. We must establish a comprehensive recycling system to reduce the chances of abandoned fishing gear entering the ocean at the source.”
Zhang Yufei visited a recycling facility in Lianyungang, Jiangsu, where she experienced the work of local residents dedicated to recovering fishing nets. She expressed her optimism, stating, “I witnessed an increasing number of people engaging in the recycling and repurposing of abandoned fishing gear. Thanks to our collective efforts, the revitalized gear not only poses no threat to marine animals but also serves humanity better. This fills me with confidence about the future of our oceans.” The documentary is set to premiere on Youku on October 24, 2024.
During the event, WildAid signed a memorandum of cooperation with the China Fishing Vessel Fishing Gear Industry Association and launched the “No Net Left Behind Partnership Initiative,” encouraging various sectors of society to contribute to the sustainable future of ocean conservation.
Additionally, artistic installations created from “ghost nets” in collaboration with a PhD student from the Central Academy of Fine Arts were displayed. These artworks will be exhibited at Beijng’s Qiaofu Fangcaodi and will be open to the public free of charge until November 10.
