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Large trawl net recovered from Falmouth wreck

Julian Collison

Last weekend our team comprising volunteers from Fathoms Free and Sea Shepherd UK - Ghostnet Campaign were busy recovering ghost gear from the Caroni River wreck in Falmouth Bay, Cornwall.

Due to the size and weight of the trawl net, we chartered the services of Atlantic Scuba and their boat Moonshadow.

Moonshadow is fitted with a lift which makes getting the trawl onto the boat a great deal easier and safer than if we were using a RHIB. It's also a bit of a treat for our volunteer divers who have been working hard underwater in less than ideal conditions.

Our team carried out two dives to complete the recovery. The first large piece was lifted on the first dive and any left overs recovered on the second.

As you can see from some of the images taken underwater, once the net was disturbed visibility was reduced to zero for the divers cutting free the ghost gear from the wreckage. Training, experience and a calm disposition is required for this type of diving.

All underwater shots were taken by Mike Etheredge, who acted as both a safety diver and photographer on both dives.

Thanks again to our supporters for enabling us to continue our work.



 
 
 

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Fathoms Free is a group of volunteer divers who protect marine wildlife and the environment for everyone's benefit by removing ALDFG (abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear) and other marine debris from the coastal waters of Cornwall and Devon.

ALDFG is also known as ghost gear or ghost fishing gear, as it continues to "fish," entangling, trapping, and killing wildlife indiscriminately. These trapped animals will die and act as bait, attracting more wildlife in a vicious cycle of death until the ghost gear is removed from the environment.

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Fathoms free are a registered charity.

UK charity number 1192613

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