Each year, approximately 640,000 tons of ghost nets—lost, dumped, or abandoned fishing gear—linger in our oceans. These ghost nets pose a severe threat to marine life, with an estimated 136,000 whales, dolphins, seals, and turtles falling victim annually, alongside countless other species.
In the pristine waters of Myanmar's Mergui Archipelago, Ocean Quest founder Anuar Abdullah and his dedicated team of volunteers are making a significant impact. Their mission? To clear the reefs of these deadly nets and preserve the marine ecosystem.
Armed with diving gear, Anuar and his team delve to the ocean floor, skillfully cutting and dragging ghost nets out of coral habitats. In just three days, they successfully recovered 510 kilograms of these hazardous nets, showcasing the power of community-driven conservation efforts.
\"We still have crystal clear waters, but that needs to be preserved. If they are damaged, we will be left with nothing,\" Anuar emphasizes, highlighting the urgent need to protect our oceans from such threats.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
