To start your own Ghost Net Program in your area contact greendiver@naui.org
Ghost Net Program in Brazil
Beatriz Mattiuzzo is a young oceanographer and NAUI instructor currently living in a small coastal community in Ilha Grande, an island in the south of Brazil. She worked there in the past as an instructor but since the pandemic she has decided to dedicate herself to find sustainable solutions for this community and the planet. Here is her story:
As divers, we know fish nets area a great danger in the ocean, and I want to prevent the nets from getting there, making it financially interesting for fisherman to bring back used nets. I take those used nets to local people in my community, where they sew the nets manually using traditional knowledge, and turn the nets into net bags that can substitute plastic bags. The bags are then sold to tourists and online (www.fazermarulho.com.br). This project has been going on for over a year, but now I am looking to expand this venture, and employee more locals – specially since Covid-19 has hit our tourist area badly and there are lots of unemployed people.
In order to expand my initiative, I have been granted a workspace in an abandoned sardine factory by its former owner. That is because in the community I live there used to be a major sardine factory back in 1980-1990. Since the business went down, the place was been abandoned. The owner wants this area to be used by the local people, so the locals can claim it and use it to keep their memories alive – in the future, the idea is to turn it in a museum. For now, I can start the process of helping the people reclaim that area, but to do that there are some safety and infrastructural challenges to be dealt with first – and that is why I need your help!
As divers, we know fish nets area a great danger in the ocean, and I want to prevent the nets from getting there, making it financially interesting for fisherman to bring back used nets. I take those used nets to local people in my community, where they sew the nets manually using traditional knowledge, and turn the nets into net bags that can substitute plastic bags. The bags are then sold to tourists and online (www.fazermarulho.com.br). This project has been going on for over a year, but now I am looking to expand this venture, and employee more locals – specially since Covid-19 has hit our tourist area badly and there are lots of unemployed people.
In order to expand my initiative, I have been granted a workspace in an abandoned sardine factory by its former owner. That is because in the community I live there used to be a major sardine factory back in 1980-1990. Since the business went down, the place was been abandoned. The owner wants this area to be used by the local people, so the locals can claim it and use it to keep their memories alive – in the future, the idea is to turn it in a museum. For now, I can start the process of helping the people reclaim that area, but to do that there are some safety and infrastructural challenges to be dealt with first – and that is why I need your help!
The traditional coastal community I’m working on. The big white building on the right is the former sardine factory I seek to turn in a workspace and give it back to the locals.
I would like to raise US$ 6000.00 (about R$ 24 thousand Brazilian reais after taxes) to implement some basic renovations in the area, such as:
- Eletricity (pass electric wires): estimated US$960
- Water and Sanitation (re-build a toilet for workers): estimated US$1440
- Doors and Windows (replace broken windows and install a door for safety): estimated US$ 2400
- Computer and printer for locals to work/ printer to be used by local school as well: estimated US$1200
This is an initiative that is already working and generating income in small scale. But in order to make it bigger and increase its impact, I need your help! I am not asking money to pay the locals – I do pay them fairly for their work as I sell the net bags. But I want to give them back their rightfully area and make a safe working space for more families. As I do that, I have the potential to remove nets from ever getting to the ocean, preserving our marine life!
I would like to raise US$ 6000.00 (about R$ 24 thousand Brazilian reais after taxes) to implement some basic renovations in the area, such as:
- Eletricity (pass electric wires): estimated US$960
- Water and Sanitation (re-build a toilet for workers): estimated US$1440
- Doors and Windows (replace broken windows and install a door for safety): estimated US$ 2400
- Computer and printer for locals to work/ printer to be used by local school as well: estimated US$1200
This is an initiative that is already working and generating income in small scale. But in order to make it bigger and increase its impact, I need your help! I am not asking money to pay the locals – I do pay them fairly for their work as I sell the net bags. But I want to give them back their rightfully area and make a safe working space for more families. As I do that, I have the potential to remove nets from ever getting to the ocean, preserving our marine life!
We have sold more than 500 nets of this kind, and there is potential for selling many more, and employing 5 more families!
Photo 1: Discarded fishing nets collected in Angra dos Reis, Brazil.
Photo 2: Me and one of the families that was employed by my work recovering and selling fish nets. Filinho, the man next to me, is 84 years old and sews the fish nets.
Photo 3: Current working area for Filinho – a very simple spot in his backyard.
Photo 4: New working space that is being donated by the owner. Doors and windows missing (help us!) This area will allow us to expand production from 1 to 5 families.
Photo 5: Bigger picture of the area that was once a sardine factory, where we will operate. The area is big but we will focus on a small portion for now.
Photo 2: Me and one of the families that was employed by my work recovering and selling fish nets. Filinho, the man next to me, is 84 years old and sews the fish nets.
Photo 3: Current working area for Filinho – a very simple spot in his backyard.
Photo 4: New working space that is being donated by the owner. Doors and windows missing (help us!) This area will allow us to expand production from 1 to 5 families.
Photo 5: Bigger picture of the area that was once a sardine factory, where we will operate. The area is big but we will focus on a small portion for now.