UN 
Monday morning along the coast of Sardinia, Italian marine rangers reported an uptick in the retrieval of ghost nets—abandoned and drifting fishing gear—inside the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo Marine Protected Area (MPA). While the MPA officially bans all commercial fishing vessels, data from Legambiente, a leading Italian environmental NGO, shows that over 27% of the plastic debris recovered this season has been linked to fishing operations outside the zone.
According to the European Commission’s ongoing 2026 Mediterranean Coastline Survey, drifting gear now represents the primary marine litter entering protected waters, a problem compounded by summer’s intensified trawling and recreational boating. The Commission’s report, released last Friday, highlights that enforcement efforts focused on vessel entry do not address gear that travels tens of kilometers on currents, often arriving days after being lost or discarded.
The Italian Ministry for Ecological Transition announced in June that it is developing a satellite tagging initiative for fishing nets, aiming to cut illegal gear intrusion by 40% before the close of the 2026 tourist season. However, marine scientists at the University of Naples caution that, without a region-wide monitoring protocol and stricter cross-border cooperation, these measures may fall short.
Despite high-profile pledges at last month’s Barcelona Blue Economy Summit, where Spain, France, and Italy reaffirmed their commitment to SDG 14 (Life Below Water), concrete reductions in drifting gear have yet to be documented. Local NGOs have accused some national authorities of greenwashing, citing a lack of transparent reporting on actual gear retrievals versus announced marine patrols.
With Mediterranean beaches filling up for peak summer, community groups are calling for urgent deployment of real-time detection and rapid-response cleanup teams. The next scheduled EU Environment Ministers’ meeting, set for later this month in Valletta, Malta, is expected to put the issue of transboundary gear management at the top of the agenda.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are ghost nets and why are they a problem in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas?
Ghost nets are drifting and abandoned fishing gear that pollute Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas by entering protected waters despite fishing bans, posing a threat to marine life and ecosystems.
How much of the plastic debris in Sardinia’s Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo MPA is linked to fishing operations?
Over 27% of the plastic debris recovered in the Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo MPA this season is linked to fishing operations outside the zone.
What measures is Italy taking to reduce illegal fishing gear intrusion in MPAs?
Italy plans to introduce satellite tagging for fishing nets, aiming to reduce illegal gear intrusion by 40% before the end of the 2026 tourist season.
Why are current enforcement efforts insufficient to stop drifting fishing gear from entering MPAs?
Enforcement efforts focus on vessel entry but do not address fishing gear that drifts on currents and can enter protected areas days after being lost or discarded.
When and where will EU Environment Ministers discuss transboundary gear management?
The next EU Environment Ministers’ meeting on transboundary gear management will be held later this month in Valletta, Malta.
