Ghost Stones

Ghost traps

Ghost traps are lost lobster, crab, and fish traps that remain on the seabed unattended. The problem is old, but the consequences have increased as the use of plastic and modern materials has become common. While gear used to rot away, today's traps can continue to fish for a very long time.

How ghost traps occur

• Ropes break in bad weather or when struck by a boat
• Buoys disappear, are cut, or stolen
• Traps move in strong currents or during landslides
• Markings fade or disappear over time

When the connection to the surface is gone, the trap can no longer be retrieved.

Consequences for life in the sea

• Lobster, crab, and fish go in, but do not come out
• The bait disappears, new animals are lured in
• The catch rots, and the trap continues to fish

This often happens unseen on the bottom in coastal areas.

Consequences for fishermen

• Economic loss of gear
• Reduced catch in areas with many lost traps
• More time spent on searching and cleanup
• Conflicts between commercial and recreational fishermen

Losses that were previously temporary are now often permanent.

Consequences for the environment

• Marine littering over a long period
• Microplastics from broken equipment
• Damage to the seabed environment and habitats
• A problem that builds up year after year

The total along the entire coast is significant.

Why prevention is important

• Unreliable function
• Long degradation time
• Poor effect in cold water

Prevention is therefore the most important measure. TrapSaver™ is developed to reduce the loss of traps and prevent them from being left behind as ghost gear.