A new FAO technical paper, ''Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear'' highlights the fact that marine debris is a problem of increasing concern.
The paper reviews the magnitude and composition of this gear and notes that while information is not comprehensive and does not allow for any global estimates, gillnets and fishing traps/pots may be the most common type of Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG).
Factors leading to ALDFG as well as their impacts are presented in the paper and the paper profiles measures already considered to stem the problem and includes a number of recommendations for future action.
