Sea Shepherd Australia, Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation, Australian Marine Conservation Society and OceanEarth Foundation, on behalf of its GhostNets Australia program, have welcomed the Australian Government’s renewed commitment to fund Indigenous Ranger groups - enabling them to continue removing ghost nets and other marine debris from northern Australia’s remote coastlines, through the continuation of the Ghost Nets Initiative.

Budget documents, released today, announced an expansion to the previous program, with $25.1 million over the next four years, thus expanding the Initiative to other coastal areas around Western Australia, the Torres Strait and the Arafura and Timor seas.

OceanEarth Foundation Managing Director Anissa Lawrence said the announcement reflects an important recognition of the essential role Rangers play in protecting Sea Country, safeguarding marine life, and maintaining Australia’s first line of defence against ghost nets - abandoned, lost or discard fishing gear.

“For more than 20 years, our GhostNets Australia program has supported Indigenous-led solutions to the ghost nets crisis,” Ms Lawrence said. “This continued funding ensures Rangers can remain on Country, doing the highly skilled, labour-intensive work of locating, removing and tracing the deadly fishing gear that continues to wash ashore.”

To date, through the Australian Government Ghost Nets Initiative, 24 Ranger groups and nine coordinators have been supported to patrol thousands of kilometres of remote coastline, removing more than 800 ghost nets and over 140,000 kg of marine debris since 2021. These efforts have also helped to safeguard marine life and Sea Country, while supporting local employment and cultural connection. Today’s announcement offers the opportunity to expand these efforts into Western Australia and the Torres Strait.

Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation, who delivers the Ranger program on Yolŋu country of northeast Arnhem Land, welcomed the announcement. Executive Officer Stephina Salee said, “This funding gives our Rangers the certainty and support they need to continue caring for Sea Country and responding to the continuous threat of ghost nets and marine debris along our coastline.

"Ghost nets are dangerous for turtles, dugongs and other marine species that are central to our culture," she continued.

"This funding recognises the scale of the problem and the vital role Indigenous Rangers play in protecting marine environment. With a four-year funding commitment we can keep creating jobs, building skills and looking after Country for future generations”

The expanded commitment to address ghost nets across the Arafura and Timor Seas reflects a growing recognition that the issue must be addressed and move beyond ongoing cleanups and include efforts to “turn off the tap” at the source. Ms Lawrence said the regional expansion supports a system-wide approach that OceanEarth Foundation has worked closely with government and partners to progress over recent years, demonstrating how long-term change can be achieved when prevention and clean-up efforts are designed to operate together. “If we want to move beyond perpetual clean-ups and towards meaningful transformation, we need approaches that operate at system scale, alongside ongoing investment in frontline action. This commitment ensures that source-based solutions and on-ground action can continue in parallel, as they must.”

"The continuation and expansion of funding also preserves the technological advancements and capability built under the Initiative, including drone monitoring, the Ranger App, and world-leading debris tracking systems that help trace ghost nets back to their origins and inform international prevention efforts," she said.

Australian Marine Conservation Society Plastics Campaign Manager, Cip Hamilton welcomed the expanded commitment, saying that the funding boost and broader coastal coverage were a vital step forward. “This $25.1 million investment over four years is a strong and welcome commitment that will help detect, remove and dispose of deadly ghost nets and other marine debris across a wider stretch of northern Australia.

“The expansion of the Initiative into more coastal areas is critical to protect marine life and support Indigenous Rangers who are on the frontline of tackling plastic pollution. However, unnecessary delays over the past six months left Rangers and supporting organisations in limbo, unsure whether this critical work could continue. That uncertainty should never be repeated. Until global solutions are achieved, including a strong and binding Global Plastics Treaty, ongoing government support is essential to stop ghost nets and other plastic pollution from continuing to threaten marine species and wash up on these once-pristine coastlines.”

Sea Shepherd Australia also acknowledged the importance of continued support. Remote Marine Debris Campaigner Grahame Lloyd emphasised that the relentless arrival of ghost nets and debris from domestic and international sources means the work of Rangers cannot pause without consequences for marine wildlife. Their presence on Country provides rapid response capability in areas where no other teams operate.

“Sea Shepherd Australia is proud to celebrate the announcement of $21.5 million dollars in funding to support Indigenous Ranger groups. Since 2018, we have worked hand in hand with these incredible Rangers to tackle marine debris and the deadly ghost nets threatening Land and Sea Country.

"Together, we have removed over 46 tonnes of debris this year alone and more than 177 tonnes of debris from Northern Australia since we began our Remote Clean ups This funding is a game changer. It will provide First Nations Ranger groups with the equipment and resources they need to continue their vital work protecting ecosystems, wildlife, and culture.

"Every metre of coastline cleared is a testament to the strength of collaboration and the importance of investing in those who care for Country. With this support, we can keep turning the tide against marine pollution and ensure a healthier ocean for generations to come.”

All four organisations look forward to continuing their partnership with the Indigenous Ranger groups, each other and the Australian Government to secure long-term solutions to ghost gear and marine debris.