<P> Drift nets lost or abandoned at sea due to storms causing strong currents, accidental loss, or purposeful discard become ghost nets . Synthetic nets are resistant to rot or breakdown, therefore ghost nets fish indefinitely in the oceans . Marine animals are easily tangled in ghost nets . The float line on the net allows it to be pushed in the current which causes ecological damage to plant life and substrate habitats as the nets drag the sea floor . </P> <P> Most countries have jurisdiction over the waters within 200 nautical miles of their shores, called the exclusive economic zone, set by the Law of the Sea . Outside these boundaries lie international waters, or the high seas . While fishing in international waters, vessels must comply with regulations of the country in whose flag they fly, but there are no enforcers on the high seas . International waters make up 50% of the world's surface, yet are its least protected habitat . </P> <P> Declining fish stocks have caused illegal fishing practices to increase . Illegal, unregulated, or unreported fishing catch between 11 and 26 million tons a year which accounts for one quarter of global catch . Illegal fishing includes taking undersized fish, fishing in closed waters, taking more fish than permitted, or fishing during seasonal closures . Illegal fishing is prominent due to lack of enforcement or punishments . </P> <P> Despite controls, violations of drift net fishing laws are commonplace . The Mediterranean Sea is the most overexploited . With 21 modern states with coastline on the sea, there are many fisheries harvesting one small area . When drift net gear was banned, manufacturers modified the design of the nets so they no longer fell under the banned definition . A new definition was established in 2007 as "any gillnet held on the sea surface or at a certain distance below it by floating devices, drifting with the current, either independently or with the boat to which it may be attached . It may be equipped with devices aiming to stabilize the net or to limit drift". </P>

How long does it take for a fishing net to decompose