Saving Seafood

Ghost gear a growing threat

November 26, 2018 — KAPAA, HI — There’s more haunting the humpback whale migration from Alaska to breeding grounds in Hawaii than shipwrecks — ghost gear also litters the 6,000-mile journey.

These lost or abandoned nets, lines and traps can get caught on migrating whales and other marine animals, causing drag and exhausting them or cutting into their bodies after becoming wrapped around tails or fins.

Dozens of organizations worldwide work to reduce ghost gear in the ocean and Surfrider Kauai has spent the last two years partnering with federal, state and nonprofit organizations to remove more than 369,393 pounds of marine debris from circulation.

The Hawaii Nei Marine Debris Removal Project just wrapped up and, since 2016 team members and volunteers have conducted 137 community cleanup events and 668 derelict net recovery patrols to remove line, plastic, nets and other debris from Hawaii oceans.

Read the full story at The Garden Island

Global Ghost Gear Initiative launches practical guidance at international conference for the seafood industry to reduce marine litter

June 9, 2017 — The following was released by the Global Ghost Gear Initiative:

The Best Practice Framework (BPF) for the Management of Fishing Gear, developed by the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), was formally launched today (June 6) at the SeaWeb Seafood Summit in Seattle, one of the most significant seafood industry events globally.

The framework is the first in the world to recommend practical solutions and approaches to combat ghost fishing across the entire seafood supply chain, from gear manufacturers to port operators to seafood companies.

More than 40 organisations from across the seafood industry, NGOs, and fishing communities have responded during an ongoing 10-week consultation process and helped shape the final document. Six webinars were also held with stakeholder groups in different regions, including Europe and North America.

“Advancements to fishing gear design, sourcing decisions, and fishing policies can significantly reduce the impact of ghost gear on marine ecosystems, livelihoods, and wildlife,” said Lynn Kavanagh, Campaign Manager for Oceans and Wildlife at World Animal Protection, the GGGI’s founding participant. “The framework recommends practical, detailed approaches to combat ghost gear, each with an accompanying case study on how changes have been achieved in practice. These include net recycling programs, derelict gear removal initiatives, and fishing management policy adjustments, among others.”

“The Best Practice Framework fills a vital need for the seafood industry,” said Jonathan Curto, Sustainability Coordinator at TriMarine, a GGGI participant. “Reducing ghost gear is important to all of us, and the practical guidance and case studies the BPF provides will help companies to implement positive changes and processes across the seafood supply chain. The GGGI looks forward to working with stakeholders to implement the recommended best practices to sustainably manage fishing gear.”

Dave Parker, Marine Biologist and Head of CSR at Young’s Seafood, a GGGI participant, said: “As the UK’s number one fish and seafood business, we believe that a fish-loving nation is a happier nation, now and for generations to come. We recognise that the Best Practice Framework will not only help other suppliers and retailers to increase their productivity, but will ensure a better environment for all marine users and wildlife. This is why we have helped resource the GGGI, and we hope this announcement will encourage others to make a commitment to its continuing success.”

Ally Dingwall, Aquaculture and Fisheries Manager at Sainsbury’s, a GGGI participant, added, “Our customers have showed us that they care about the sustainability of their food, which is why we are building the principles of the Best Practice Framework into our sourcing policies. As a founding member and active participant of the GGGI, we are fully supportive of the launch of the BPF and urge other stakeholders from across the industry to make use of this important toolkit.”

Ghost gear refers to fishing equipment which has been abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded that is now causing harm to fisheries and ocean ecosystems. Each year, an estimated 640,000 tons of such fishing gear is lost or abandoned in the world’s oceans, estuaries, and bays. Whether intentionally discarded or accidentally lost, this gear persists for hundreds of years and entangles marine wildlife, adds to ocean waste, and causes significant financial loss for fishers and marine communities.

A survey during the consultation period showed that 28% of respondents said ghost gear is a significant sustainability issue for their business, while 37% said ghost gear is a moderately or highly significant issue for them.

The Framework can be found on the GGGI website. Industry feedback is still welcome by visiting http://www.ghostgear.org/best-practice-consultation

About the Global Ghost Gear Initiative 

Founded in 2015 by World Animal Protection, the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) is a cross-sectoral alliance committed to driving solutions to the problem of lost and abandoned fishing gear (ghost gear) worldwide. The GGGI aims to improve the health of marine ecosystems, protect marine animals, and safeguard human health and livelihoods. Members include TriMarine, Sainsbury’s, Young’s Seafood, Northern Prawn Fisheries, and the International Pole and Line Foundation.  For more information, visit http://www.ghostgear.org

GGGI launches practical guidance for the seafood industry to reduce marine litter

April 7, 2017 — The following was released by the Global Ghost Gear Initiative:

A highly anticipated best practice framework on the management of fishing gear developed by the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) launched today for an industry-wide consultation. The framework provides the seafood industry – from port operators to seafood companies – with practical steps to decrease the abundance and effects of ghost gear within their respective industries.

Developed with input from over 40 GGGI participants from across the industry, the best practices framework is the first in the world to recommend solutions and approaches to combat ghost fishing across the entire supply chain.

“This is a big step towards implementing more sustainable fishing practices globally,” says Guy Dean, Vice President at Albion Fisheries Ltd., a GGGI participant. “Ghost gear is a very real impediment to sustainable seafood. Until now, a comprehensive approach to combatting ghost gear with recommendations for all fishery stakeholders, was lacking. The best practice framework provides just that. We’re now looking for feedback on the framework so we can adopt elements of these best practices into our business activities.”

Ghost gear, sometimes called abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear, is fishing equipment which has been abandoned or lost and is now causing harm to fisheries and ocean ecosystems. Each year an estimated 640,000 tons of fishing gear is lost or abandoned in oceans, estuaries, and bays. Whether intentionally discarded or accidentally lost, this gear sticks around for hundreds of years and it catches and wastes targeted marine species, entangles marine wildlife, adds to ocean waste, and presents additional expenses and hazards for fishermen and marine communities.

“Minor improvements to fishing gear and fishing policies can significantly reduce the impact of ghost gear on ecosystems, livelihoods and marine animals,” says Lynn Kavanagh, the Campaign Manager for Oceans and Wildlife at World Animal Protection, a GGGI participant.

“The framework presents 10 stakeholder groups with recommended approaches to combat ghost gear, each with an accompanying case study on how this has been achieved in practice. These include net recycling programs, derelict gear removal initiatives, and fishing management policy adjustments, among others. We really hope this will help the broader industry see change is both possible and practical.”

The draft framework is currently available for review and feedback on the GGGI website, before it is finalised and adopted later this year. GGGI is working with Ocean Outcomes (O2) to seek feedback from all fishery stakeholders affected by ghost gear. A series of webinars will also be held.

To participate in a webinar or learn more about the best practice framework visit www.ghostgear.org/.