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NaturDive
The end of ghost fishing
BiodiversityDecontaminationProvence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
With 250 €,
NaturDive finances:
1 dive(s) in search of abandoned nets
14,089 €15,000 €
3021 Captains
Challenge
Lost fishing nets impact biodiversity: they physically destroy habitat and chemically contaminate the trophic chain of marine ecosystems. These nets, most often lost accidentally, must be removed from the seabed as quickly as possible to minimize their impact on biodiversity.
Solution
In partnership with artisanal fishermen in the Cannes and Antibes area, the project covers several actions:
- prospecting and spotting nets by diving;
- assessing the impact of each net on its environment and its removal;
- removal of nets by professional divers;
- evacuation and research into possible reprocessing solutions.
- prospecting and spotting nets by diving;
- assessing the impact of each net on its environment and its removal;
- removal of nets by professional divers;
- evacuation and research into possible reprocessing solutions.
Recent result
In 2022, as part of the RECUPMED2 call for projects led by the Office Français de la Biodiversité (OFB), a survey campaign removed ten nets from the Cannes, Antibes and Iles de Lérins Natura 2000 area, in partnership with artisanal fishermen.
The money will be used for
The funds raised will cover the costs associated with the diving activity (professional divers) and logistics (boat and petrol). NaturDive will also be able to increase the project's visibility among various sea users to improve the reporting of lost nets.
Goal
In 2023, by involving artisanal fishermen, remove more than ten fishing nets from Natura 2000 areas in the Alpes-
Maritimes department, equivalent to 2 km of nets and 5000 m2 of plastic materials.
Maritimes department, equivalent to 2 km of nets and 5000 m2 of plastic materials.
1 avenue des Broussailles, 06400 Cannes, France
Observe, understand and protect marine biodiversity
NaturDive, a public interest association, aims to take action to preserve marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean. It develops projects around four themes:
- assessing the state of health of the marine environment through participatory science;
- contributing to naturalistic knowledge, particularly on little-studied ecosystems in need of protection;
- educating citizens about environmental preservation, and in particular the younger generations;
- preserving and restoring coastal marine ecosystems.
- assessing the state of health of the marine environment through participatory science;
- contributing to naturalistic knowledge, particularly on little-studied ecosystems in need of protection;
- educating citizens about environmental preservation, and in particular the younger generations;
- preserving and restoring coastal marine ecosystems.
A tricky net for our divers!Reacting quickly to minimize the impact of fishing nets
Capricious weather dragged this fishing net onto the Enfer de Dente in Golfe-Juan, a fragile site renowned for its gorgonian-rich coralligenous zone. Quickly alerted by the fisherman, we intervened to help remove the net and minimize its impact. Several gorgonians were replanted on site, and the small lobsters were returned to the water.
A fine example of fishermen and divers working together to reduce the impact of our respective activities.
A fine example of fishermen and divers working together to reduce the impact of our respective activities.
Long dives in search of netsProspecting between Monaco and Italy
In October, we were commissioned by the Département des Alpes-Maritimes to record lost nets in the Natura 2000 area of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, between Monaco and Italy.
Our divers spent long hours diving, covering more than 10 km using underwater scooters!
These surveys are essential to assess and prepare for future dives to remove these nets.
Our divers spent long hours diving, covering more than 10 km using underwater scooters!
These surveys are essential to assess and prepare for future dives to remove these nets.
Net hauled aboard fishing boatA net... in a tree!
Contacted by a fisherman, we set off to help him retrieve his net hanging on the bottom at the mouth of the Var river. What a surprise when we found ourselves in front of a huge tree planted vertically at a depth of 30m, the net caught in its branches! An unreal dive! The tree must have been swept down there during the storm Alex of 2020, which devastated the Vésubie valley!
We were able to unhook the net, which was then hauled up by the fisherman.
A fine example of collaboration to reduce the impact of fishing on the marine environment.
We were able to unhook the net, which was then hauled up by the fisherman.
A fine example of collaboration to reduce the impact of fishing on the marine environment.
Diver taking GPS point of a netProspecting in July
The month of July was marked by a major prospection phase in the Estérel-Théoule Marine Park. Long hours spent criss-crossing the seabed in search of abandoned nets. Around twenty small nets were identified, and will be removed shortly.
An intense June for our divers!
7 nets have been removed from our bottoms in the Antibes, Cannes and Iles de Lérins Natura 2000 zone!
A total of 1100 m and 2300 m2 less nets! Cleaned coralligenous reefs that will be able to regenerate themselves!
Thank you for your support 🙏
A total of 1100 m and 2300 m2 less nets! Cleaned coralligenous reefs that will be able to regenerate themselves!
Thank you for your support 🙏
One less ghost net!Withdrawal of 3 nets in the Natura 2000 area Antibes, Cannes and Îles de Lérins
An intense week for our divers with the removal of 3 fishing nets in the Natura 2000 area Antibes, Cannes and Îles de Lérins:
- - an old net on Cap d'Antibes (Grand Boule site) at a depth of 30 meters,
- - a small net on Ile Sainte Marguerite (Batéguier site) at a depth of 25 meters,
- - an 800-meter-long net at a depth of 50 meters on Cap d'Antibes (Calafate site), which was brought to our attention by a fisherman who had lost it.
- Thank you so much for your support!
An ROV in search of abandoned netsA new tool for net prospecting
During the month of May, we tested new tools for locating ghost nets, such as this small underwater robot controlled from the surface (ROV - Remotely Operated underwater Vehicle) and capable of descending to a depth of 100m.
After removing 10 nets last year, let's hope these new tools can help us reach our goal of removing 30 nets this year 💪
After removing 10 nets last year, let's hope these new tools can help us reach our goal of removing 30 nets this year 💪
Divers in action!One less net!
The beginning of the year was marked by numerous prospecting dives in the Cannes and Antibes area in search of lost nets. A few old nets were spotted and will be removed shortly.
In March, the first net of the year was removed from the seabed.
In the coming months, removal operations will accelerate... thanks to your support for our actions to preserve our oceans!
In March, the first net of the year was removed from the seabed.
In the coming months, removal operations will accelerate... thanks to your support for our actions to preserve our oceans!
The latest addition to the association: the Kraken!The project is progressing well!
Between the search for funding and technical preparations, we're getting ready to attack the search for nets in the coming weeks. An important element of the project, we have invested in a more efficient vessel: the Kraken!