WAILUKU, HAWAII — Ghost nets are commercial fishing nets discarded by fishers or lost in the ocean.
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.
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.
The massive net could ensnare whales and potentially inflict serious damage to boats.
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.
According to the institute, the ghost net may have collected up to 18 tons of plastic trash.
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.