LIFE STRONG SEA Will Present Results in Genoa
The project removed 22 tonnes of abandoned fishing gear from the Mediterranean to aid habitat conservation.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Fishing
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The LIFE STRONG SEA project will premiere the documentary The Phantom Catch at the Genoa International Boat Show on October 4, 2026. This presentation follows a five-year initiative that recovered 22 tonnes of abandoned fishing gear from Mediterranean waters.
Why it matters
Removing ghost gear is essential to protecting fragile marine ecosystems like Posidonia oceanica seagrass. The project provides critical insight into the impact of abandoned equipment on local biodiversity.
The initiative recovered 22 tonnes of equipment, including gillnets and longlines, from depths of 8 to 40 metres. Analysis of this gear identified 89 species across 50 taxa, with crustaceans accounting for 30% of the findings.
The players
LIFE STRONG SEA
This is a multi-year environmental project dedicated to identifying and removing abandoned fishing gear to protect marine habitats.
Genoa International Boat Show
This is an annual maritime exhibition that serves as a global gathering point for the nautical industry and marine conservation advocates.
The details
Researchers and divers performed 24 targeted operations to extract various forms of lost fishing tackle from the Mediterranean seafloor. Subsequent scientific studies documented biological colonization on the retrieved items, highlighting the persistent presence of marine life on discarded synthetic materials.
Timeline
October 4, 2026: The documentary The Phantom Catch will premiere at the Genoa International Boat Show.
Culture Shift
This project reflects a broader global movement toward active restoration of ocean health rather than passive protection. It aligns with growing international efforts to address ghost fishing gear as a primary threat to underwater habitat integrity.
For recreational divers and boaters in the Mediterranean, this work highlights the physical hazards posed by submerged, abandoned nets. Awareness of these recovery efforts can help ocean enthusiasts identify and report ghost gear to regional authorities.
The takeaway
Ghost gear remains a significant threat to marine biodiversity long after it is lost at sea. Preventing equipment abandonment through better reporting and gear tracking is key to maintaining healthy underwater environments.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in marine sustainability on our Fishing page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ISPRA Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale.
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