Safeguarding our seas takes more than just passion; it takes action. Last week, the Sharklife team powerfully demonstrated this when they removed a monumental threat to iSimangaliso’s marine life.
Sodwana Bay, South Africa (19 January 2026) – Our marine life, in all its majesty, faces incredible odds below the surface. Beyond the natural struggle for survival, these animals also endure a relentless, human-induced battle, too.
This reality was brought home last week when the Sharklife team recovered a massive discarded fishing net drifting along the iSimangaliso coastline.
Measuring between 200 and 300 meters, with a dry mass estimated at 1.4 to 2.5 tonnes, the team identified the net as consistent with those used in industrial pelagic gillnet fisheries. The type used in offshore tuna, king mackerel, and mixed pelagic fisheries operating in the western Indian Ocean.
According to the environmental conservation organisation, gillnet fisheries are among the highest bycatch fisheries globally, and when such nets are lost or dumped, they become ghost gear.
“They drift with currents, remain difficult to see underwater, and pose an ongoing entanglement risk to sharks, turtles, rays, dolphins, whales, and seabirds moving through this migration corridor.”
Sharklife proactively addresses the alarming exploitation of both shark populations and ocean fisheries in South Africa and engages in research and education to increase the protection of vulnerable marine life.
The dedicated team of local heroes earned praise from South Africans online, appreciating their efforts in removing the ghost gear that could have caused significant harm.
“Great job getting it out of the water and protecting our marine life,” commented Jessica Aberdein.
While Shaun Pillay also commended:
“That was a mammoth task. You are appreciated for the effort put in to remove that net. Well done to your team for their dedication to protecting our ocean.”
To the Sharklife team and everyone who helped cut and remove the net from the ocean, we salute and thank you!
Sources: Sharklife
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