Every year, 640,000 metric tons of abandoned fishing gear become marine debris worldwide. In the face of this complex global challenge, the Ocean Affairs Council hosted the "International Workshop on Innovative Governance of Abandoned Fishing Gear," inviting representatives from industry, government, and academia at home and abroad to share experiences and exchange ideas. Experts and scholars from the US, Japan, and Korea gathered together, hoping to find solutions to the global marine debris problem through innovative technology and international cooperation.
Approximately 1,200 Metric Tons of "Ghost Nets" Lost in Waters Near Taiwan Each Year
Abandoned fishing gear, commonly known as ghost nets, not only generates a massive marine debris problem but also causes habitat destruction. Matt Classen, Executive Director of the Trans-Pacific Maritime Association BlueTech (TMA BlueTech), pointed out that approximately 1,200 metric tons of fishing gear are lost in waters near Taiwan each year, contributing to a 50% degradation of coral reefs in the Asia-Pacific region. He further noted that this also leads to a 10–15% reduction in fish catches. "A rough estimate puts the cost of removing abandoned fishing gear at NT$100 million," demonstrating that ghost nets impact not only the environment but also the economy.
By Mstelfox - Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Where Does Marine Debris Go? How Is Taiwan Boosting Its Abandoned Fishing Gear Recycling Rate?
Statistics from the Ocean Affairs Council show that abandoned fishing nets account for nearly 90% of the total weight of underwater marine debris cleaned up in Taiwan each year. Given the complex composition of discarded fishing nets, they are a key focus of Taiwan's marine debris management. Ocean Conservation Administration (OCA) Director-General Lu Hsiao-yun shared the current state of Taiwan's abandoned fishing gear governance, covering the different stages from gear collection and sorting to processing and product manufacturing.
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To broaden industry participation in marine debris upcycling, the Ocean Conservation Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council has promoted the establishment of the "Marine Debris Upcycling Alliance."
Increasing Incentives and Encouraging Recycling
Director-General Lu Hsiao-yun cited examples of the government raising the buyback prices for abandoned fishing gear to increase fishers' willingness to participate in recycling. In 2023, more than 6,000 metric tons of marine debris were collected and recycled for reuse. In addition, the OCA published a Fishing Gear Recycling Reference Manual to promote public awareness of abandoned fishing gear recycling and reuse, with the aim of fostering circular economy development.
Establishing the Marine Debris Upcycling Alliance to Facilitate Supply Chain Collaboration
The OCA established the Marine Debris Upcycling Alliance in 2021, with more than 60 businesses participating. The alliance not only connects recycling, manufacturing, and R&D players across the supply chain, but also incorporates upstream and downstream sectors such as marketing, culture, and creative industries, creating a more complete value chain for marine debris upcycling. The OCA has organized multiple workshops and seminars and participated in overseas exhibitions, continuously developing new technologies to ensure better prospects for the recycling and reuse of abandoned fishing gear.
Adding Value to Marine Debris Upcycling
Up to 55 types of eco-friendly products are currently being manufactured using upcycled marine debris materials, including sunglasses, recycled-material backpacks, and functional apparel. Director-General Lu Hsiao-yun said: "Consumers aren't just buying a product — they're buying the values behind it. They're willing to pay more because it's more environmentally friendly or ocean-friendly." For businesses, using upcycled marine debris materials also helps reduce carbon emissions and build a positive brand image.
Director-General Lu Hsiao-yun mentioned that the OCA will also prioritize a "recycling and reuse matchmaking platform" going forward, enabling effective connections between supply and demand, improving market transparency, and helping to stabilize both material prices and quality.
Solving the Abandoned Fishing Gear Problem Requires International Cooperation
At the International Workshop on Innovative Governance of Abandoned Fishing Gear, experts and scholars from various countries shared their experiences on the prevention and recovery of abandoned fishing gear, as well as the upcycling of marine debris.
All speakers participating in the panel discussion on "Integrated Strategies for Abandoned Fishing Gear Management and Innovative Technologies"
Prevention and Recovery of Abandoned Fishing Gear
Junko Toyoshima, Research Manager at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Japan, pointed out that Japan produces approximately 20,000 metric tons of fishing gear annually, which accounts for only about 14% of total plastic product output. "But if you go to beaches in Japan, fishing gear accounts for 60% of beach litter," highlighting how a relatively small production volume can still severely impact the environment. Research collected and analyzed approximately 1,200 pieces of fishing gear and found that 72% bore Chinese characters; combined with ocean current computer simulations, it was inferred that the gear may have originated from China or Taiwan. Toyoshima emphasized that solving the abandoned fishing gear problem requires international cooperation, addressing labeling, management, and recycling on all fronts.
Dr. Hong Seon-gyun, founder of the Ocean and Sea Environmental Action Network (OSEAN) in Korea, highlighted the impact of abandoned fishing gear on navigational safety, noting that on average each vessel experiences 2–3 entanglement incidents per year.
TMA Executive Director Matt Classen shared a range of innovative technologies for preventing and recovering abandoned fishing gear — for example, using smart buoys and acoustic instruments linked to satellite transmission technology to identify and track fishing gear, as well as underwater drones that can be used for deep-sea recovery. Matt said: "In regions like the North Sea this has been very successful; about 3,000 metric tons are recovered each year. These drones are like underwater robots, enabling us to restore marine habitats."
Marine Debris Recycling and Reuse
Ko Han-che, Chairman of Taiwanese local company Fusen Textile, introduced their experience in eco-material development and the circular economy. The company has developed patented technology to transform waste into recycled fibers and eco-friendly fabrics that are widely applied across various product types, earning high recognition in markets across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Chairman Ko particularly noted that recycled nylon made from discarded fishing nets — compared to conventional nylon — reduces CO₂ emissions by 57,000 metric tons and saves 70,000 barrels of crude oil per year, cutting global warming impact by 80%. This both responds to environmental trends and enhances market competitiveness.
Beyond fishing gear upcycling, a technology that converts oyster shells into plastic pellets also piqued the curiosity of Dr. Hong Seon-gyun, who specifically raised questions about it. Chairman Ko generously shared the process: oyster shells are repeatedly washed and sun-dried, then sintered at high temperatures to form a powder, which is then processed using nano-grinding technology, mixed with recycled PET bottle pellets, and spun into yarn — converting the shells into reusable plastic pellets.
In addition to marine debris recycling and upcycling, Dr. Hong Seon-gyun also shared Korea's experience of improving fishing gear materials at the source — reducing the use of EPS floats (expanded polystyrene floats), which have a greater environmental impact, and introducing more durable floats to help reduce pollutants.
At the close of the workshop, Yen Ning, CEO of Cheng Yang Environmental Consultants, moderated a panel discussion in which experts from various countries exchanged views on "Integrated Strategies for Abandoned Fishing Gear Management and Innovative Technologies." Connecting stakeholders and fostering dialogue and collaboration was unanimously highlighted by the experts as the key!
TMA Executive Director Matt shared Blue Ocean View as a successful case study. He noted that the company's initial goal was to tackle "ghost nets," and it was only as the technology developed that they discovered these tracking devices could do far more — not only locating abandoned fishing nets, but also collecting ocean temperature, marine storm data, and a broader range of ocean data. Matt noted that TMA's role is to bridge people from different fields, connecting them together so as to not only resolve immediate problems but also expand the scope of applications.
OSEAN founder Dr. Hong Seon-gyun emphasized that government policy plays a critical role: putting forward appropriate proposals and actively communicating with grassroots communities is essential to finding compromise solutions that balance environmental concerns with fishers' acceptance. In addition, Dr. Hong believes that social participation is equally important. OSEAN has cultivated approximately 36,000 citizen scientists, who in turn act as seeds to reach more students and the general public, working to raise awareness of ocean issues.
The international panel discussions demonstrated not only the necessity of cross-sector collaboration among industry, government, academia, and civil society, but also that abandoned fishing gear is a challenge shared by the entire world. It will take regional cooperation among Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and other nations — exchanging innovative technologies and sharing experiences — to make meaningful progress in addressing the global marine debris problem.
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