Ghost NEt Removal Project
The koh rong archipelag, sihanoukville
What are ghost nets and aldfg?
Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been accidentally lost, abandoned, or deliberately discarded (ALDFG= Abandoned, lost, discarded fishing gear) at sea.
Made from durable synthetic materials, these nets do not break down easily and can drift through the ocean or sink to the seafloor, where they become entangled on rocks, coral reefs, and other underwater structures. Once trapped, these “phantom” nets continue to catch marine life (ghost fishing). Fish, crabs, turtles, and even seabirds can become entangeled, often leading to injury or death. Over time, this not only disrupts delicate ecosystems but also threatens the biodiversity that relies on healthy marine habitats.
For larger animals like dolphins, sea turtles, and dugongs, ghost nets pose a particularly serious risk. When these marine mammals become entangled, they may struggle to surface for air, suffer injuries, or become too weak to survive. In many cases, entanglement can be fatal.
What is the Ghost net removal project ?
This project aims to train Khmer people to monitor and remove ghost nets around Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samloem, helping protect marine ecosystems from these dangerous hazards. Khmer Ocean Life will receive training in operating drones for aerial surveys, using online mapping tools, and will gain Open Water scuba diving certificates, with additional specialized courses focused on ghost net identification and safe removal techniques.
Over the course of two weeks, drones will be used to map the locations of ghost nets and identify hotspots. Once key areas are identified, community workshops will be established and the nets will be carefully removed in collaboration with local island communities—ensuring a safer, healthier ocean for both marine life and people.
Koh Rong, Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Koh Rong Samloem, Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Who is involved in this project?
This project is a collaborative effort between Khmer Ocean Life and ARRI Thailand, with additional support from Bubbles Up! Dive Shop on Koh Rong Samloem (M’Pai Bay), which is providing Open Water Diver certification for our Khmer team members.
ARRI Thailand, a highly experienced organization specializing in ghost net removal, will lead the training by teaching the Khmer Ocean Life team safe and effective techniques for ghost net mapping and removal. Their expertise is crucial to ensuring that our team can carry out this work responsibly and with minimal impact on the marine environment.
Bubbles Up! is a local dive shop in M´pai Bay that teaches and certifies marine lovers after the SSI regulations. Khmer Ocean Life and Bubbles Up! have been working together for a while now and share information about environmental changes and conditions.
We also collaborate with TONTOTON Cambodia a social and environmental organization dedicated to tackling plastic pollution through innovative, community-driven solutions. Operating in coastal and island communities, TONTOTON focuses on collecting and managing non-recyclable plastic waste. By working directly with local waste collectors and providing fair wages and training, TONTOTON not only reduces environmental harm but also empowers communities through sustainable livelihoods.
What is the timeline for the project?
May 2025: Khmer Staff successfully completed their scuba course and are now SSI certified Open Water Divers
July/ August 2025: Aerial survey training and mapping
July 2025: Community workshops
July-August 2025: Ghost net and ALDFG removal
July-November 2025: Plastic transport and recycling
December 2025: End of phase 1
