Collaborative ghost gear retrieval & recycling in nova scotia 2022-2023
In collaboration with industry, academia, and government, we're working to prevent, reduce, and assess the impacts of ghost gear on the South Shore of Nova Scotia (Lobster Fishing Areas 33, 34, and 35) and on the shorelines of Cape Breton. We're retrieving ghost gear from targeted areas and supporting the development of waste management systems for the responsible disposal of end-of-life gear.
WHAT IS ghost gear?Abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), commonly referred to as “ghost gear”, makes up a large portion of all marine debris. It causes significant negative environmental, economic, and social impacts including habitat degradation, indiscriminate fishing and entanglements, decreased catches, at-sea safety hazards, and vessel damage. ALDFG is generated by unfavourable environmental conditions (like storms and bottom types), gear conflicts among fishers and other industries, poor gear conditions, and inappropriate disposal at sea. Losses can be accidental, fishers are not always at fault, as the marine environment is shared with other industries.
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2022-2023 highlights
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check out more results here
This project is possible thanks to the financial support of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)'s Ghost Gear Fund.
special thanks to:
For more information, please contact Zora McGinnis, zora@coastalaction.org