WAILUKU, HAWAII — Ghost nets are commercial fishing nets discarded by fishers or lost in the ocean.<br /><br />The Maui News reports that local authorities are asking for the public's help to recover a very large ghost net floating in Hawaii's near seas.<br /><br />According to the paper, the giant net is 50 feet long, 70 feet wide and drifting at a depth of about 50 feet. It is also believed to have a yellow floater bucket.<br /><br />The massive net could ensnare whales and potentially inflict serious damage to boats.<br /><br />According to CNN, the net has not been found as of January 18, although the debris is possibly in the area of Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, and Molokai.<br /><br />According to the institute, the ghost net may have collected up to 18 tons of plastic trash.<br /><br />The network reports that ocean nonprofits are hoping to retrieve the ghost net before it sank, or rescuers would have to remove net carefully to avoid harming the reefs.
