Terms & Conditions

Last Updated: June 2026

Welcome to the Ghost Nets Ireland website. These Terms & Conditions govern your use of our website (www.ghostnets.ie), your interactions with our online reporting tools, and your participation in our volunteer activities.

By accessing our website or participating in our initiatives, you agree to comply with and be bound by these terms. If you do not agree with any part of these terms, please do not use our website or volunteer services.

1. About Us

Ghost Nets Ireland is an independent marine conservation organisation based in Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Our mission is to locate, map, and coordinate the safe removal of lost or abandoned fishing gear (ghost nets) from Irish coastal waters, alongside running public community beach cleanups and marine education programmes. We are entirely separate from, and not affiliated with, any international diving foundations or chapters.

2. Volunteer Participation & Safety Boundaries

Participation in any Ghost Nets Ireland event or project is entirely voluntary.

Shore-Based Activities: Public beach cleanups and educational events are open to the general public. All participants must follow the safety briefings provided by our coordinators on the day and are responsible for their own personal safety, appropriate footwear, and well-being.
In-Water Operations: Due to strict safety, insurance, and specialised training requirements, non-divers are strictly prohibited from entering the water or assisting with any in-water recovery operations.
Diving Team Requirements: Active underwater recovery operations are restricted entirely to qualified, advanced divers who have completed approved ghost net recovery training. Participation in boat deployments is by prior arrangement only.

3. Ghost Gear Reporting Disclaimer

Our website provides a Report Ghost Gear form allowing the public, fishers, and divers to submit coordinates, depths, and photographic evidence of lost fishing gear.

By submitting data, you confirm the information is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
Submitting a report does not guarantee that Ghost Nets Ireland will undertake an immediate or future recovery operation.
Safety Warning: Members of the public are explicitly warned never to attempt the removal of lost fishing gear or ghost nets themselves. Abandoned commercial fishing gear is inherently heavy, dangerous, and requires specialist training and equipment to handle safely.

4. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise stated, Ghost Nets Ireland owns the intellectual property rights for all material, logos, images, and content displayed on this website. You may view or print pages for your own personal, non-commercial use, but you must not republish or redistribute our media without explicit written permission.

5. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by Irish law, Ghost Nets Ireland, its founders, and its volunteers shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential injuries, losses, or damages that may occur:

During voluntary participation in community beach cleanups or shore-based events.
As a result of relying on information or maps provided on this website.
Through the independent, unauthorised handling of ghost gear by members of the public.

6. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Ireland. Any disputes relating to these terms will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts.

7. Changes to These Terms

We reserve the right to update or amend these Terms & Conditions at any time without prior notice. Any changes will be posted directly to this page with an updated revision date.