We are proud to announce that One Earth – One Ocean e.V. (OEOO) is now a member of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) as of April 8th, 2024, bolstering international efforts to address the pressing environmental issue of marine plastic waste.

As a member of the GGGI, OEOO is poised to actively contribute its valuable experience and proactive approach to combating ghost gear—abandoned or lost fishing equipment that continues to trap and kill marine life, pollute our oceans and eventually decompose into microplastics. Estimates suggest that ghost nets comprise approximately 10 percent of the global marine plastic waste.

With a track record of environmental stewardship, OEOO has been at the forefront of the fight against marine pollution, targeting ghost nets through its “Salvaging Ghost Nets in the Baltic Sea” project. Since spring 2019, in collaboration with the Scientific Diving Association e.V. Kiel (SDA), OEOO has been instrumental in locating, marking, and retrieving these harmful derelict fishing gears. Distressingly, an estimated 10,000 nets and fishing gear are lost annually in the Baltic Sea alone. Our joint efforts have resulted in several successful salvage missions, utilizing the OEOO’s multi-purpose vessel, the SeeKuh, as the operational base for these dives.

OEOO’s engagement goes beyond recovery efforts. To streamline the reporting and identification process, SDA has developed a web-based reporting portal, inviting fishermen and aqua-sports enthusiasts to mark wreck and ghost net locations, a critical step in remediation.

Now as part of the GGGI, One Earth – One Ocean e.V. is joining a diverse global alliance, including fishing and private industries, academia, and governments to leverage holistic solutions to the ghost gear problem. Launched in September 2015, the GGGI brings together stakeholders to drive positive change, mitigate the impacts of ghost gear, and harness global efforts to ensure healthier marine ecosystems.

We invite you to learn more about the “Salvaging Ghost Nets in the Baltic Sea” project and the significant steps being taken towards ocean conservation by visiting our detailed project page: Salvaging ghost nets in the Baltic Sea.

Together, we can make strides towards cleaner oceans and protect the myriad of life that calls them home. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and initiatives as we work hand-in-hand with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative.

For more information about OEOO’s environmental efforts and how you can get involved, visit our website and follow us on our social media platforms.