Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Course · 300 h · 5 modules
Course in Ghost Net and Marine Litter Removal
The Course in Ghost Net and Marine Litter Removal Prepares you to plan and coordinate the removal of ghost nets and other marine litter safely and effectively. You will study the sources and impacts of marine litter, how to locate
Duration300 h
FormatOnline
Starts30 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
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Programme overview
What is the Course in Ghost Net and Marine Litter Removal?
The Course in Ghost Net and Marine Litter Removal
Prepares you to plan and coordinate the removal of ghost nets and other marine litter safely and effectively. You will study the sources and impacts of marine litter, how to locate lost fishing gear using sonar and underwater vehicles, how to organise recovery operations that minimise damage to the seabed, how to manage and recycle recovered waste, and the prevention measures that can be taken in fisheries and on land.
Key advantages
- Real-world operations: Planning, safety and logistics of recovery campaigns.
- Technology: Sonar, underwater vehicles and debris mapping.
- Circular economy: Recycling and recovering value from nets and plastics.
- Prevention: Gear marking, clean harbours and working with fishers.
- Case study: A removal plan for a specific coastal area.
Programme type
Course
Study mode
Online
Duration
300 hours
Modules
5
Programme highlights
- Understand the problem: Analyse the sources and impacts of marine litter.
- Locate debris: Use sonar and underwater vehicles.
- Remove it safely: Plan operations that do not damage the seabed.
- Close the loop: Manage and recycle what is recovered.
- Broaden your profile: Useful for NGOs, harbours, fishing organisations and environmental firms.
- Train to clean up the sea with method, safety and a focus on prevention.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 5 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Marine Litter: Sources and Impacts
- Land-based and sea-based sources
- Abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear
- Ghost fishing
- Impacts on wildlife and habitats
- Microplastics and degradation
02
Location and Assessment
- Information from the fishing sector
- Side-scan sonar
- Remotely operated vehicles
- Mapping accumulation hotspots
- Assessing removal risk
03
Recovery Operations
- Planning campaigns
- Safety in underwater work
- Low-impact removal techniques
- Freeing entangled wildlife
- Recording and documentation
04
Waste Management and Recovery
- Sorting and cleaning
- Recycling fishing nets
- Recovering value from marine plastics
- Port reception facilities
- Extended producer responsibility
05
Prevention and Case Study
- MARPOL Annex V
- Fishing gear marking
- Fishing for litter schemes
- Awareness and citizen science
- Case study: removal plan for a coastal area
Workload
Study Time and Workload
300 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Environmental and marine science graduates: who want to specialise in marine litter Harbour and fishing organisation staff: who manage fishing waste Environmental NGO staff: who organise clean-up campaigns Diving and underwater work professionals: who take part in recovery operations Public sector officers: who coordinate marine litter plans
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand the marine litter problem
- 02Assess impacts
- 03Locate lost gear
- 04Plan recovery operations
- 05Manage recovered waste
- 06Design prevention measures
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Recovery campaign coordinator: Planning marine clean-up operations.
02Port waste officer: Managing waste from fishing and shipping.
03NGO project officer: Marine litter prevention and removal programmes.
04Circular economy officer: Recovering value from recovered nets and plastics.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Lost or abandoned fishing gear that keeps catching marine animals uncontrolled.
No. The course does not replace diving qualifications or the training required for underwater work.
Not always. Sometimes removal does more harm than leaving it, for example if it is heavily colonised; the course teaches you to assess this.
Yes. Options for recycling and recovering value from recovered materials are covered.
A removal plan for a specific coastal area, covering location, operations, waste management and prevention.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 300 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Course in Ghost Net and Marine Litter Removal qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A university degree or vocational qualification in environmental science, marine science or a related field; or experience in fishing, harbours, diving or environmental management. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.