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GHOST GEAR

Nova Scotia Coastal Conservation & Marine Debris Recycling 2024-2027

A new project aimed at continuing to preserve coastal ecosystems through remote shoreline clean-ups in collaboration with responsible diversion and disposal of debris. This project focuses on addressing marine pollution, preserving marine biodiversity and engaging local communities in sustainable environmental practices.

​Check out some of the results from our first year!
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Collaborative ghost gear retrieval & recycling in nova scotia 2023-2024

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 and 34), Cape Breton (Lobster Fishing Area 27), Prince Edward Island (Lobster Fishing Area 24), and in Newfoundland (Lobster Fishing Areas 11 and 12). We successfully retrieved ghost gear from targeted areas, both at sea and along shorelines, and supported the development of waste management systems for the responsible disposal of end-of-life gear.

In 2023 a new partnership with Ocean Legacy Foundation was been established to assist with expanding local options for recycling ghost gear. We also continued to work with our other recycling partners, Sustane and the Fishing Gear Coalition of Atlantic Canada, to recycle most of the gear we retrieve.

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 condition, and inappropriate disposal at sea. Losses can be accidental, and fishers are not always at fault, as the marine environment is shared with other industries.

2023-2024 highlights

  • Shoreline and at-sea retrievals were conducted in SW Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Newfoundland and PEI
  • 1,265 tows over 85 trips searching the seafloor for ghost gear
  • 5 islands and 10 mainland shoreline cleanups
  • 35,149.2 kg of ALDFG removed
    • 18,928.6 kg retrieved at-sea 
    • 16,220.6 kg retrieved from shorelines 
  • 45.6% of the debris was lobster traps and 15.2% was dragger cable by weight
  • 17 different species released from ALDFG including 398 lobsters and 79 fishes and 1 bird
  • 73.2% of lobsters released were market-sized in NS/NL and 71.8% in PEI​
The below report contains the final project information for the 2023-2024 retrieval season 
2023-2024 Ghost Gear Retrieval Results Summary

check out more results here

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ARCHIVED results 

2022-2023 Ghost Gear retrieval season
2022-2023 Ghost Gear Retrieval Results Summary
Infographic showing the types of bycatch found trapped inside ghost gear in the coastal waters of Nova Scotia
Infographic of the types of ghost gear retrieved from Nova Scotia's coastal waters
Infographic showing the types of debris retrieved from the shores of Cape Breton after Hurricane Fiona
This project is possible thanks to the financial support of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)'s Ghost Gear Fund.
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partners 

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​Small Craft Harbours

special thanks to:

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For more information, please contact Kelly Mackarous, kelly@coastalaction.org

Location

Coastal Action
The Mahone Bay Centre
PO Box 489
45 School Street
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
B0J 2E0

Contact Us

Tel: 902-634-9977
Email: [email protected]
Donate
COPYRIGHT © COASTAL ACTION 2020
  • HOME
    • OUR TEAM
    • OUR BOARD
  • WHAT WE DO
    • CLIMATE CHANGE >
      • STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
      • LIVING SHORELINES
      • INTERACTIVE FLOOD MAPPING
      • Agricultural Projects
    • COASTAL & MARINE >
      • MICROPLASTICS >
        • Atlantic Ecosystem Initiative
      • GHOST GEAR
      • Coastal Wetlands
      • KCC - Coastal Islands
    • ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION >
      • HARVEST FOR A CAUSE COMMUNITY GARDEN
      • EARTH ADVENTURE CAMPS >
        • Camp FAQ
      • Litter Program
      • SCHOOL PROGRAMS
      • AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS
      • YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
    • WATERSHEDS & WATER QUALITY >
      • WATERSHEDS >
        • FISH HABITAT RESTORATION
      • WATER QUALITY >
        • LAHAVE WATERSHED
        • PETITE RIVIÈRE
        • SHERBROOKE LAKE & FOX POINT LAKE
      • Our Services
    • SPECIES AT RISK & BIODIVERSITY >
      • ATLANTIC WHITEFISH
      • AMERICAN EEL
      • SNAPPING TURTLE
    • PAST PROJECTS >
      • CLEAN BOATING CAMPAIGN
      • NOVA ACTION >
        • MEET THE COHORT
      • LUNENBURG HARBOUR
      • ATLANTIC SALMON
      • COASTAL POLICY
      • WILDCAT SHALE PIT
      • ROSEATE TERN RECOVERY
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
  • WHAT YOU CAN DO
    • EVENTS
    • NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
    • WORK WITH US
    • AWARDS & BURSARIES
  • DONATE
  • VOLUNTEER
  • CONTACT