5 MIN READ
09-03-2025
Untangling Ghost Nets: Protecting Prapat Agung’s Mangroves
Ahmad Fasta, 4ocean Indonesia Content Correspondent
The morning began at the Lumber Plant warehouse, where the 4ocean Jembrana crew gathered to decide on their next mission. After a quick discussion, the destination was set: Prapat Agung Beach, part of West Bali National Park. Known for its dense mangrove forests and rich biodiversity, this site also faces a hidden but serious threat—ghost nets and discarded ropes entangled around mangrove roots. With that in mind, the crew packed their gear and set off with determination.
Upon arrival, the team was taken aback. The mangrove roots, strong and sprawling, were tightly bound with nylon ropes and fishing lines. At first, the crew tried to remove them by hand but quickly realized the risk. Forcing the ropes off could strip or break the roots, harming the very trees they were there to protect. Without cutting tools on hand, the team made the tough decision to pause and return the next morning better prepared.
At dawn the following day, the crew came back equipped with knives and ropes to carry the heavy waste. Each member took a role: some cut, some untangled, and others collected the removed nets into sacks. The work demanded extreme care—knives had to be aimed only at the plastic fibers, never the roots. Some entanglements had been there so long that the ropes seemed fused with the mangroves, requiring patience and precision. Slowly but surely, the mangroves were freed.
After hours of effort, the transformation was clear. The mangroves that once appeared “strangled” now looked alive and unburdened, their roots ready to continue their vital role as coastal protectors and marine habitats. All collected waste was hauled ashore and transported back to the warehouse for weighing and documentation. Tired but fulfilled, the crew left with the deep satisfaction of having restored—not harmed—this fragile ecosystem.
The cleanup at Prapat Agung yielded a staggering 4,121.28 lbs. of waste, the majority of it nylon ropes and discarded fishing nets. Among the finds was a moss-covered fishing net nearly 20 meters long, so camouflaged that it seemed like part of the mangroves themselves. Smaller pieces of single-use plastic were also collected, further proof of how persistent marine debris can be.
Freeing the mangroves had an immediate impact: roots once tightly bound could now grow freely, reinforcing their ability to act as natural coastal barriers and safe havens for fish, crabs, and countless other marine species.
For the crew, this mission was a reminder that environmental work isn’t only about effort—it’s also about care. “Every piece of rope we removed felt like a small victory,” one team member reflected. “It wasn’t just trash we were pulling away, but a chance for the mangroves to live again.”
The mission was far from easy. The first day ended in frustration when the team realized they lacked the right tools. On the second day, the work was physically demanding—tangled ropes fused to roots, heavy nets that needed to be carried using bamboo poles, shifting tides, and exhausting heat. Yet through teamwork and patience, the crew overcame every obstacle.
This effort was about more than just collecting waste. It revealed the dual role of mangroves: as guardians of biodiversity and as natural filters that catch debris before it reaches the open sea. The fact that most of the waste originated from nearby fishing activities underscored the need for ongoing efforts and community awareness. Before-and-after photos captured the transformation, showing just how impactful consistent cleanups can be.
By the end of the mission, the mangroves at Prapat Agung stood freer and healthier, a testament to what happens when determination meets care. For the crew, the lesson was clear: protecting nature requires not only strength, but also respect for its delicate balance.
