Ecologically informed decision-making for ghost nets from shipwrecks and the seabed in the North Sea and Adriatic Sea using scuba diving: The results of a pilot study exploring decision-making approaches to remove or leave ghost nets in place, balancing ecological impact and habitat value

This report presents the results of a pilot study on the ecological impact and origin of ghost nets recovered from the North Sea and the Adriatic Sea. The findings show that ghost nets do not have a uniform impact; gillnets often pose a continued threat through entanglement and ghost fishing, while trawl nets may, over time, develop into habitats that support marine life. Based on these insights, the study introduces a practical decision manual to support diving teams in making informed, context-dependent decisions during clean-up operations, balancing environmental risks with ecological value to determine whether nets should be removed or left in place.