The International Pole & Line Foundation’s (IPNLF) socio-economic manager has taken up the role of co-coordinator of the Building Evidence Working Group, established by the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI).
Zacari Edwards will sit alongside working group chair Gideon Jones of the Emerald Sea Protection Society and fellow co-coordinator Kelsey Richardson of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.
“The Global Ghost Gear Initiative continues to embark on ground-breaking, collaborative work aimed at tackling the problem of ghost fishing in an increasing number of fisheries throughout the world,” said Zacari Edwards. “Addressing this particular challenge to marine conservation is a great passion of mine, so becoming part of the GGGI programme in a more official capacity, and being able to help drive the crucial evidence building elements of its work is a fantastic opportunity, while also strengthening IPNLF’s partnership with the alliance.”
Mr Edwards’ appointment aligns with his ongoing work exploring the impacts of the tuna fishing sector on marine plastics pollution, with a particular emphasis on quantifying the comparatively low contribution of one-by-one caught fisheries, as well as the mitigation efforts being put in place by pole-and-line, handline and troll tuna fishermen.
Mr Edwards will help develop the work plan’s progress, analysing data to better understand the global impact of ghost fishing, as well as building a scientific resource library, and promoting data gathering efforts at international conferences and policy fora.
