Image Credit: Kevin Muenkel

sonoware GmbH and GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel present the GhostNetBusters project to Claus Ruhe Madsen, Minister for Economy, Transport, Labor, Technology, and Tourism of Schleswig-Holstein; Dirk Schrödter, Minister and Head of the State Chancellery of Schleswig-Holstein; Prof. Dr. Otmar D. Wiestler, President of the Helmholtz Association, and Hinrich Habeck, Managing Director of WTSH.

Ghost nets are lost fishing nets that pose a serious threat to marine wildlife and account for almost 50% of microplastics in the world’s oceans according to WWF. Almost 1,250 km of lost fishing nets remain in the Baltic Sea alone (FAO, UN).

To detect the metal remains of fishing nets using side-scan sonar, frequencies of at least 100 kHz are necessary, covering a range of roughly 20 meters. Here, sonoware serves as a technology partner, utilizing our expertise in real-time signal processing software to support Geomar in detecting and mapping potential ghost nets using artificial intelligence.

The idea of detecting ghost nets using sonar technologies is not new but faces technological hurdles when applied on a large scale, which are yet to be solved. At sonoware, we are proud to take part in enabling waste removal from the world’s oceans and are looking forward to collaborating in our joint research activities.

GhostNetBusters currently has a pending funding application at the special AI fund by the state of Schleswig-Holstein.