Who We Are and What We Do
Fathoms Free is a group of volunteer divers who protect marine wildlife and the environment for everyone's benefit by removing ALDFG (abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear) and other marine debris from the coastal waters of Cornwall and Devon. ALDFG is also known as ghost gear or ghost fishing gear, as it continues to "fish," entangling, trapping, and killing wildlife indiscriminately. These trapped animals will die and act as bait, attracting more wildlife in a vicious cycle of death until the ghost gear is removed from the environment
The group is made up of people from various backgrounds, agencies and organisations. We are supported by The National Trust, who own some of our finest coastline. They help us to access the more remote dive sites, that would otherwise be neglected.
Both diving and non-diving volunteers are equally as important to us. So if you would like to take a proactive step towards protecting our seas, please join our group
Fathoms free is a UK registered charity - number 1192613
John Kent, Chairman, Activist, Engineer & Diver
I am an Engineer, diver and environmentalist who has lived in Cornwall for 27 years. The local marine life is stunning and as elsewhere in the world is under threat from various sources. My particular concern is plastic marine pollution and the need to raise awareness of it's origins (mainly from land) and the consequences for marine life.
Elle Speirs, Secretary & Diver
In today’s world it seems that what is out of sight is out of mind. But to those of us who see under the ocean, we witness the devastation Ghost Fishing Gear and marine debris pollution is causing and the urgency for a solution. I have been exploring the oceans since I was a young child, first in Scotland and for the past decade in Cornwall, and am a lifelong conservationist and animal lover. Retrieving ghost nets and raising awareness of the issue is crucial to save our seas and I am proud to be part of the dive team at Fathoms Free.
Jules Collison, Treasurer, Skipper & Diver
As someone who has been a qualified diver and dive boat skipper for close to 25 years and all of that in Cornwall, I have seen the impact that marine pollution has on the ecosystem. My particular interest is the recovery of ghost fishing gear in the shape of nets, pots and angling gear which would otherwise continue to catch and kill marine life with no chance of being recovered.
Luke Bullus, Diving Officer and Diver
The lone Sea Shepherd Ghost Net Diver in South West England, who found himself fostered by the Fathoms Free family in Cornwall. Passionate about the oceans and marine conservation, and spends as much time as possible beneath the surface of the sea sniffing out ghost gear and debris around the coasts.