Ghost Gear and Sustainable Fishing: How WASSP Multibeam Helps Protect Oceans and Fishing Operations

Ghost gear - the term used for lost or abandoned fishing nets, ropes, pots, and lines - has become a growing issue across the global marine environment. Lost gear can continue trapping marine life long after it has been abandoned, damage sensitive habitats, create navigation hazards, and contribute significantly to marine plastic pollution. 

For commercial fishing operators, ghost gear is also a costly operational problem. Losing nets or fishing equipment can mean expensive replacement costs, gear damage,  increased fuel consumption and wasted time searching for equipment that may be difficult to locate using traditional methods. 

As sustainability and operational efficiency become increasingly important across the fishing industry, advanced multibeam sonar technology is playing a major role in both preventing gear loss and assisting recovery operations. 

Seeing What Traditional Sonars Miss 

WASSP multibeam systems provide operators with a detailed, real-time picture of both the seabed and the water column, making it possible to identify seabed anomalies, submerged objects, and hazardous terrain that may otherwise go unnoticed. Unlike conventional single-beam systems, WASSP creates high-resolution 3D seabed maps while simultaneously visualising underwater targets and seabed structures in real time.                                

This is done using a combination of the following features: 

WASSP can help identify submerged objects such as lost fishing gear, seabed hazards, and areas where ghost gear may be trapped or accumulated.  

This capability is particularly useful in environments where nets, ropes, crab pots, or other gear may become snagged on rocky structures, wrecks, or uneven seabed terrain. 

                          Aquaculture nets and anchors shown in WASSP's live 3D display 

Preventing Ghost Gear Before It Happens 

One of the most important sustainability benefits of multibeam technology is its ability to reduce the likelihood of gear loss in the first place. 

As seabed conditions change or in areas that are not accurately mapped, allowing operators to see detailed and up-to-date seabed and water column information in 2D and 3D helps them avoid obstacles capable of snagging or damaging fishing gear. By understanding seabed conditions before deploying gear, skippers can make better-informed decisions and avoid high-risk areas that may damage or trap nets and lines.  

With accurate 3D seabed visibility, skippers can: 

Reducing gear loss not only prevents additional ghost gear entering the marine environment but also lowers replacement costs and minimises operational downtime. 

Supporting Ghost Gear Recovery 

When gear is lost, WASSP multibeam technology can also assist recovery operations by helping operators quickly survey and record mapping of large areas in detail and locate targets on or near the seabed. By easily identifying suspicious targets or seabed anomalies operators can then mark exact positions for further investigation. 

Backscatter and side scan style views can help distinguish hard or artificial objects from the surrounding seabed, while water column visualisation can detect suspended ropes, floats.  

    Submerged ropes shown on a WASSP sidescan view 

In one real-world example, a Dutch fishing vessel used WASSP technology to successfully locate and recover a lost shrimp net in approximately 20–25 metres of water. Using backscatter and side scan style presentations, the crew identified the target in less than 30 minutes and successfully recovered the gear.  

                         Recovery of lost gear after using WASSP to pinpoint location 

While detection capability depends on factors such as water depth, seabed type, object size, and environmental conditions, multibeam systems provide a powerful complementary tool for search and recovery operations.  

WASSP multibeam systems can also support remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and inspection workflows by providing accurate target positioning and real-time situational awareness during recovery operations. Integrated solution such as this provide a truly robust solution to locating, identifying and recovering lost gear. 

Improving Fuel Efficiency and Operational Sustainability 

Sustainability is not only about reducing waste - it is also about improving efficiency. Helping vessels locate fish faster and operate more efficiently can significantly reduce fuel usage during fishing operations.  

By improving situational awareness and reducing unnecessary searching or repeat towing, operators can: 

Commercial fishermen using WASSP have reported reductions in fishing time, reduced gear damage, and appreciable fuel savings due to a better understanding of their seabed environment.  

Seabed feature (wreck) identified using multiple WASSP features 

Supporting More Selective and Sustainable Fishing 

Detailed water column visualisation also allows operators to better understand fish behaviour and school structure in real time. WASSP systems help crews identify fish schools more accurately and improve selectivity, helping operators remain within quotas while reducing unwanted bycatch.  

This ability to make more informed fishing decisions supports: 

As global fisheries continue moving toward more sustainable practices, technologies that support operational precision and environmental responsibility are becoming increasingly important. 

Ghost gear is a complex global issue, but better information and improved situational awareness can make a real difference. WASSP multibeam systems provide practical environmental and operational benefits for modern commercial fishing fleets. 

From preventing gear loss to supporting recovery operations and improving efficiency at sea, WASSP helps operators make smarter decisions while contributing to healthier marine environments. 

WASSP Multibeam - helping commercial operators fish smarter, safer, and more sustainably.