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GHOST GEAR

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. 

2022-2023 highlights

  • 537 km of seafloor searched for ghost gear
  • 32,906 kg of ALDFG removed this season
    • 17,829 kg retrieved from southwest NS waters
    • 4,126 kg from five shoreline cleanups in southwest NS
    • 10,951 kg from 10 shoreline cleanups in Cape Breton, NS
  • 74.5% of the debris was lobster traps and 14.2% was dragger cable by weight
  • 18 different species released from ALDFG including 305 lobsters and 15 fishes, 1 of which was a species-at-risk
  • 75% of lobsters released were market-sized​

check out more results here

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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collaborators

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special thanks to:

Small Craft Harbours
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For more information, please contact Zora McGinnis, zora@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: info@coastalaction.org
Donate
COPYRIGHT © COASTAL ACTION 2020
  • HOME
    • OUR TEAM
  • WHAT WE DO
    • CLIMATE CHANGE >
      • STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
      • LIVING SHORELINES
      • INTERACTIVE FLOOD MAPPING
      • Agricultural Projects
    • ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION >
      • HARVEST FOR A CAUSE COMMUNITY GARDEN
      • EARTH ADVENTURE CAMPS >
        • Camp FAQ
      • SCHOOL PROGRAMS
      • EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS
      • YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
    • COASTAL & MARINE >
      • MICROPLASTICS
      • GHOST GEAR
      • OCEAN FRIENDLY NOVA SCOTIA
    • WATERSHEDS & WATER QUALITY >
      • WATERSHEDS >
        • FISH HABITAT RESTORATION
      • WATER QUALITY >
        • LAHAVE WATERSHED
        • PETITE RIVIÈRE
        • SHERBROOKE LAKE & FOX POINT LAKE
    • SPECIES AT RISK & BIODIVERSITY >
      • ATLANTIC WHITEFISH
      • AMERICAN EEL
      • SNAPPING TURTLE
    • PAST PROJECTS >
      • NOVA ACTION >
        • MEET THE COHORT
      • LUNENBURG HARBOUR
      • ATLANTIC SALMON
      • COASTAL POLICY
      • WILDCAT SHALE PIT
      • ROSEATE TERN RECOVERY
      • CLEAN BOATING CAMPAIGN
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
  • WHAT YOU CAN DO
    • EVENTS
    • NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
    • WORK WITH US
    • AWARDS & BURSARIES
  • DONATE
  • VOLUNTEER
  • CONTACT