We are a 4th Grade Lego League team from Wisconsin, and this cause deeply resonates with us. Every year, 500,000 to 1 million tons of fishing gear is lost or abandoned in the ocean, much of it turning into 'ghost nets' that continue to trap marine life long after they have been deserted. These ghost nets not only endanger marine life but also substantially contribute to the growing problem of ocean pollution.

There is currently no system in place to account for this lost fishing gear, and this needs to change. We are calling for ocean fishermen to be legally required to report any gear they lose during their fishing operations. This would allow for better tracking of ghost nets, facilitating targeted clean-up efforts and potentially saving countless marine lives.

Additionally, the implementation of such a reporting system could lead to accountability measures, providing an incentive for fishermen to operate more carefully and lose less gear in the first place. The health of our oceans is at stake - this simple, enforceable change could make a real difference in fighting against ocean pollution and protecting our marine ecosystems.

Sign our petition to mandate the reporting of lost fishing gear by ocean fishermen and give our oceans a fighting chance for cleanliness and sustainability.