Ghostfishing Problems and Prevention

Abstract

Ghostfishing is the fishing activity of lost or abandoned fishing gears or theirarts. This invisible fishing activity of unknown number of fishing gears may have contributed the global depletion of fisheries resources. Gillnets and pots are two gear types known to have severe ghostfishing problems. Synthetic materials making up gillnets and pots can last for many years when left in water. There are no worldwide survey or estimates of annual loss of gillnets or pots, but the number is likely in millions. Prevention, clean up, de-ghosting technological research, and awareness training are some of the strategies which can be adopted to curb the ghostfishing problem. This presentation will review the problems of ghostfishing in gillnet and pot fisheries, actions taken by some countries to counteract gear losses and ghostfishing, and future prospectus in combating ghostfishing problems.