ghost fishing

noun

1. the continued trapping and killing of marine life by a discarded fishing net floating at sea

Example Sentences

The rest are burned, buried, sent out of the country -- or just pile up and contribute to something called ghost fishing.

Read more on Science Daily

Between Hawai'i and California, in a stretch of water known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, much of the metric tonnage of plastic is comprised of ghost fishing gear.

Read more on Salon

"The best estimate I've seen is about 10% of fish stock is trapped and killed by ghost fishing gear," Lantinga says.

Read more on Salon

Charity Ghost Fishing UK said the nets were a "huge issue".

Read more on BBC

"When lost fishing gear keeps catching fish after its intended lifespan, it is called ghost fishing."

Read more on BBC