Ghost nets, lost or abandoned fishing nets, are one of the most persistent and dangerous forms of marine pollution. Invisible beneath the surface, they continue trapping marine life for decades while slowly breaking down into microplastics that threaten ecosystems and human health.
The project SeaClear2.0 – Ghost Nets Hunter is taking action in Iskenderun Bay, Türkiye.
During its first implementation phase, the project brought together fishermen, coastal guards, environmental experts, and local authorities, building a powerful, cross-sector network to protect the bay. A launch workshop in Samandağ (March 2025) helped map ghost net hotspots, exchange local knowledge, and establish a shared strategy for action.
A major breakthrough came through collaboration with DegzRobotics. A customized underwater drone was developed, successfully field-tested in October 2025, and is now fully operational, detecting and documenting ghost nets while collecting images and GPS data to build a live database of underwater pollution hotspots.
At the same time, onshore efforts revealed the scale of the problem. During a beach clean-up in Çevlik (September 2025), over 80% of collected waste was plastic, a stark reminder that marine pollution is both visible and hidden.
But we’re not stopping at detection. We’re closing the loop.
Through our SeaClean upcycling workshop, recovered ghost nets are transformed into plastic interceptors, innovative tools designed to stop even more plastic from entering rivers and seas. This approach connects the full cycle in action: from mapping and detection, to responsible low-impact recovery in sensitive habitats, and finally to repurposing waste into practical solutions.
What was once deadly marine debris is now part of the solution.
Looking ahead, the project will continue expanding underwater mapping efforts, engaging more local volunteers, and scaling up recycling into useful products such as agricultural nets, turning marine waste into local economic value.
Because Samandağ is more than a coastline, it’s a critical “last line of defense” before waste reaches the Mediterranean, and a home to sea turtles and over 300 migratory bird species.
