Saving Seafood

Report: 29% of gear lines lost at sea

October 1, 2019 — So here’s an interesting question: How much lost commercial fishing gear still calls the world’s oceans home?

The simple answer – “Who the heck knows for sure” – would seem to readily apply. But now, thanks to a study published by Australia’s national science agency and data from 68 separate studies published between 1975 and 2017, we at least have an estimate.

“The study estimates that 6 percent of all fishing nets, 9 percent of all traps and 29 percent of all lines are lost or discarded into our oceans each year,” explained Kelsey Richardson, a doctoral student from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. “The type of fishing gear used, along with how and where it is used, can all influence gear loss by fishers.”

She said the most common reasons for lost – or, ghost – commercial gear are foul weather, gear being ensnared on the ocean floor and gear-on-gear crime (our words, not hers). And of course, there’s always the human element, that like our lobstering pal Doc Herrick, you just forget where you set the darn stuff.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

Ghost nets still fishing in the deep waters of Puget Sound

May 21, 2019 — Lost and abandoned fishing nets, which have killed millions of sea creatures in Puget Sound, still lurk in deeper, darker waters, where they continue to catch fish and crabs.

But the quiet, unregulated killing has been quelled substantially since 2002, as divers have pulled up nearly 6,000 of these so-called “ghost nets.”

The challenge for the future is to find and quickly remove newly lost nets while going after the difficult-to-remove nets still fishing in more than 100 feet of water. Programs are moving forward on both fronts.

The massive removal of ghost nets over a 13-year period ultimately cost the state and federal governments about $11 million. But if the 5,809 nets had been left in place, they might still be catching and killing up to 12 million animals each year, based on studies that measured the catch rates of abandoned nets.

“The magnitude of this effort often gets overlooked when considering the restoration of Puget Sound,” said Ginny Broadhurst, executive director of the Salish Sea Institute. “We talk about the Nisqually and the Elwha, but (net removal) is among the most important restoration efforts.”

The Nisqually Delta Restoration Project restored nearly 1,000 acres of wetlands, and the removal of two dams on the Elwha River opened up nearly 70 miles of salmon-spawning habitat. But pulling out derelict nets produced an immediate, long-lasting and cost-effective outcome, argues Broadhurst, who was involved in the early days of net removal as director of the Northwest Straits Commission.

Many of the lost nets appear to have been fishing continually for 20 to 30 years or more after getting snagged on rocky outcroppings or submerged pilings during the heyday of commercial salmon fishing in the 1970s and ’80s, said Larry LeClair, a biologist and diver with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Read the full story at the Kitsap Sun

VIRGINIA: Watermen get say on how to tackle ‘ghost pots’ in the Chesapeake Bay

January 29, 2019 — “Ghost pots” remain a menace in the Chesapeake Bay, but how big a menace and what to do about them is anybody’s guess.

That could change now that the 1,056 hard crab fishermen licensed in Virginia are getting a chance to have their say.

Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science are mailing surveys to watermen asking for their ideas on the countless crab pots that, for any number of reasons, end up haunting the bay, trapping and killing crabs and other hapless creatures that crawl or swim inside.

“This is really to try to find out, what do the watermen want, what do they think,” said Jim DelBene, the VIMS graduate student who developed the Derelict Blue Crab Pot Survey.

In doing so, he researched what other states with blue crab fisheries, from Connecticut through Texas, are doing to reduce ghost pots. He sought out experts at VIMS and at the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and held focus groups for commercial watermen to help choose and frame the survey questions.

Read the full story at the Daily Press

MSC to include ghost gear, shark finning, endangered species in standard review

January 25, 2019 — The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)’s board of trustees has confirmed a list of 16 topics that will be reviewed in the next stage of its fisheries standard review.

In addition to the topics to be included in the standard review, the MSC board has approved topics for more immediate public consultation. These include a consultation on shark finning as part of the MSC’s scope requirements in early March 2019, concluding in early 2020.

The full standard review list incorporates feedback received from numerous stakeholders and includes consideration of the MSC’s requirements for ghost gear, low trophic species, shark finning and endangered threatened and protected (ETP) species, it said. It also covers topics relating to the accessibility of the MSC program to small scale, squid, crab and octopus fisheries.

“The next stage in the MSC fisheries standard review will be an in-depth analysis of all topics agreed for review,” said Rupert Howes, MSC CEO. “Over the next year, the MSC will work alongside stakeholders to harness their expertise and experience to identify potential updates to the standard. This is an opportunity for stakeholders to inform the future development of the standard. We encourage anyone with knowledge or an interest in these areas to get in touch.”

Read the full story at Undercurrent News

NORTH CAROLINA: Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project Begins Mid-January

January 4, 2019 — A large scale cleanup project to improve water quality, remove fishing debris and collect derelict crab pots from all of Eastern North Carolina’s coastal sounds will soon get underway.

Commercial fishers and North Carolina Marine Patrol will participate in the annual cleanup effort which takes from January 15th to February 7th.  Now in its third year, the project received $100,000 in funding from the General Assembly, allowing the North Carolina Coastal Federation to hire and train 76 local fishers to remove lost fishing gear during the “no-potting” period.

“This is helping the economy,” said Sara Hallas, the Coastal Education Coordinator for the North Carolina Coastal Federation.  “This is a slower time of the year for the fishing industry, especially for the crabbing industry, the fishing would be closed during this time of the year. So it does give them an option for employment during the slow winter season.”

Crews, which are comprised of two people, are paid $450 per day.  Last year, 3,496 crab pots were collected from coastal fishing waters.  But Hallas expects crews will encounter more marine debris this year because of Hurricane Florence.

Read the full story at Public Radio East

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/.