Ghost nets transformed into art to highlight pollution's 'devastating' impact

On the remote western coast of Cape York Peninsula, Indigenous artists and rangers are undertaking a unique initiative: collecting discarded 'ghost nets' and other debris washed ashore to transform them into powerful works of art. This effort not only cleans up the beaches but also draws attention to the severe environmental damage caused by marine pollution.

Ghost nets, which are fishing nets illegally dumped at sea by commercial fishers, pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems. Ellen Maugeri, manager of the Pormpuraaw Art & Culture Centre, described the pollution as "terrible," noting how sea life becomes entangled, leading to the nets sinking and destroying seabeds. These nets are hazardous to all wildlife.

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The sea life gets tangled in the nets; the nets get heavy and sink to the sea floor. They destroy the seabeds; they wash up on the beaches. They're a hazard for all wildlife.

However, what is considered waste by some is viewed as an artistic opportunity by others. Over a dozen First Nations artists from Pormpuraaw have created 18 sculptures using ghost nets, debris, and old wire. These artworks, often depicting sea creatures that are clan totems, are part of "The Ghost Nets of Pormpuraaw" exhibition in Townsville.

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Most of the sculptures are sea creatures, which are the totems of the people of Pormpuraaw

The exhibition aims to communicate the "devastating" effect of ocean waste on species of cultural and spiritual significance, such as the shovelnose ray and barramundi. Zoe Rimmer, principal curator of First Nations cultures at the Queensland Museum Tropics, stated that the art serves as both cultural preservation and environmental activism, underscoring the community's commitment to conservation.

Artists like Michael Norman, Syd Bruce Shortjoe, and Christine Holroyd are using their creations to share ancestral stories and the cultural significance of the animals depicted. Shortjoe described his art as a bridge connecting his people's traditions to the outside world, emphasizing the intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge through songlines and dance.

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My art is a bridge from my people's way to the outside world