Pilot investigation of the origins and pathways of marine debris found in the northern Australian marine environment

About the publication

Every year hundreds of lost or abandoned fishing nets are found along parts of the northern Australian coastline, especially areas of the Gulf of Carpentaria. To find out where these derelict nets come from, and the paths they may drift to reach the coast, a pilot project was commissioned. CSIRO undertook the pilot study.

The project involved the use of a computer model and floating satellite transmitters to predict the likely pathways of these derelict nets in waters north and east of Australia.

Preliminary results found that derelict nets entering the Gulf of Carpentaria could originate in the South Pacific and Coral Sea (off Australia's east coast), before being blown through the Torres Strait during the dry season by the south-east trade winds. Further research is required to confirm these findings.