Ghost nets transformed into art to highlight pollution's 'devastating' impact

First Nations artists turn ocean waste into sculptures on Cape York Peninsula Thu 25 Jun 2026 at 11:38am On the remote western coast of Cape York Peninsula, First Nations artists and rangers walk along the beach, collecting ghost nets and debris that have washed up Floats, thongs and even yoga mats are some of the items that have been found strewn across the shoreline. Pormpuraaw Art & Culture Centre manager Ellen Maugeri said the "terrible" pollution was affecting traditional lands. She said ghost nets, plastic fishing nets illegally dumped by commercial fishers at sea, were particularly harmful. "The sea life gets tangled in the nets; the nets get heavy and sink to the sea floor. They destroy the seabeds; they wash up on the beaches. "They're a hazard for all wildlife." But what might look like waste to some is an opportunity for others. Some of these materials are brought into the culture centre and transformed into pieces of art. Trash that tells a tale More than a dozen First Nations artists from Pormpuraaw have created 18 sculptures using ghost nets, debris and old wire. The creations are on display at The Ghost Nets of Pormpuraaw exhibition in Townsville, accompanied by a soundscape featuring audio recordings from the artists, community voices, wildlife and coastal landscapes, and will remain there indefinitely. The sculptures aim to bring attention to the "devastating" effect of ocean waste on species of cultural and spiritual significance, such as the Mundha (shovelnose ray), Minh Tharrmutchur (pelican), and Ngat Pinporro (barramundi). "Most of the sculptures are sea creatures, which are the totems of the people of Pormpuraaw," Ms Maugeri said. She said there were three language groups in the remote Pormpuraaw community. "There's the Thaayore people, who are the traditional owners of the land that Pormpuraaw stands on, and then there is the Kugu people and the Wik people, who are in the areas to the north of Pormpuraaw," she said. "With these pieces of art, they get to share their stories and share the stories of their ancestors and the cultural significance of the different animals." Pormpuraaw artist Syd Bruce Shortjoe described his work as artistic expression and cultural storytelling passed down through generations via songlines and dance. "My art is a bridge from my people's way to the outside world," he said. Pollution becomes art Queensland Museum Tropics principal curator First Nations cultures Zoe Rimmer said the art was a form of cultural preservation and environmental activism, which emphasised the community's commitment to country and sea country. "They're transforming harmful ocean pollution into beautiful, meaningful, powerful artworks that tell stories of culture and environment and the way the community care for country," Dr Rimmer said. Ms Maugeri said the harmful impact of ghost nets had been recognised globally as having a "huge effect" worldwide, but growing awareness of the issue was positively affecting the Pormpuraaw community. "The fact that people will walk along the beach and pick up one and drop it off to the art centre, or you'll pass them in community and they'll say, 'Hey, we saw a net down at the beach.'" "The people of Pormpuraaw are aware of it and are doing their best to protect their own little environment."