With attention on fisheries with the SeaWeb Summit earlier this week and with the UN Ocean Conference currently in progress, the worldwide problem of ghost fishing gear problem has been raised to a higher profile.
NGO World Animal Protection claims that 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear are discarded annually, based on the findings of the 2009 FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear.
“Effective solutions are being found locally and nationally, yet a global approach is needed for the problem of ghost gear to be monitored and solved at scale. Governments and industry are part of this solution,” commented Ingrid Giskes, Head of World Animal Protection’s Sea Change campaign.
“Our Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) has more than 80 industry participants who are driving innovative solutions from removing gear from our oceans to converting recycled nets to skateboards and swimwear. What we’d like to see is the GGGI taken to the next level by governments and industry – a sustainable global network of members committed to real change globally and practical solutions at scale.”
She said the GGGI also presents a way for governments to deliver UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 targets to reduce marine litter.
“We hope as many industry and government representatives as possible will join our effort to eliminate ghost gear and create safer, cleaner oceans. It’s bringing together partners to stop fishing gear being lost and abandoned, supporting new ways to prevent gear from being lost in the first place and promoting best practice when removing ghost gear from the seas, helping protect marine animals from harm and safeguarding human health and livelihoods,” she said.
“What we’d like to see is retail companies, fast food restaurants and fishing industries coming on board, along with governments."
