Project Xibka
Ghost Nets & Abandoned Fishing Gear
Entanglement in lost and discarded fishing gear is one of the greatest threats facing marine life. We locate, retrieve, and recycle abandoned nets from Maltese waters.
Entanglement in lost and discarded fishing gear is one of the greatest threats facing marine life. We locate, retrieve, and recycle abandoned nets from Maltese waters.
Project Xibka is Żibel's dedicated ghost net recovery programme. Operating since 2017, it has grown into one of Malta's most active underwater marine debris operations, with over 250 ghost nets retrieved and documented to date.
Funded by the Beyond Plastic Med Foundation and its partners, Xibka brings together technical divers, fishermen, and researchers to tackle abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear across Maltese and surrounding waters.
Every retrieved net is geo-tagged, photographed, and logged with mesh size and material data before being dismantled and processed for recycling in-house.
Ghost nets retrieved and documented since 2017
Support the reduction of synthetic materials and other waste ending up in the sea
Increase awareness about the impacts of discarded fishing gear (DFGs) such as ghost fishing and habitat damage
Support reuse of DFGs through mending and repurposing, reducing the need for replacement gear
Support stakeholder collaboration to drive discussion around environmental impacts
Engage new players in the fight towards waste-free seas: artisans, divers and fishermen
Improve public knowledge about waste and its impacts on marine species and habitats
