Hammond Island residents in the Torres Strait explore alternative uses for 'ghost nets'.

Ghost nets are fishing nets that have been lost or abandoned at sea. Floating throughout the oceans, these nets often catch threaten species or undersized fish and turtles before they are washed ashore.

In northern Australia, Indigenous marine rangers collect the dumped nets. Southern Gulf Catchments is an Environment organisation in Weipa, supported by the National Heritage Trust, and aims to raise awareness about the destructive presence of ghost-nets.

Last year a national competition was held to discover the best way to recycle ghost-nets. The winner was artist/weaver from Sydney, Chantal Cordey, who made a 'kooky' looking guitar strap out of multi-coloured nylon string from the nets.

Her prize was a visit to a community in the Gulf or Torres Strait. She also gave something back, holding a one-week workshop Hammond Islanders in the Torres Strait.

Backing Indigenous Arts funding will expand the project so Indigenous participants can develop even more creative products with recycled netting. The program will look to develop ways of creating local income through the development of discarded net material into commercial products such as bags.

It is envisioned that a high standard exhibition will be created for display in regional, state, national and international venues. A curator will be appointed and workshops held at Hammond Island, Kowanyama, Pormpuraaw, Weipa and Mornington Island.

< Back to Arts Update

We welcome feedback and contributions to Arts Update. Please contact the editor, Colleen Turner on (07) 3225 8841 or email artsupdate@arts.qld.gov.au