Gear marking in Indonesian small-scale fisheries: a Pilot Project Case Study.

Abstract

Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), also known as ‘ghost gear’ accounts for approximately 10% of marine debris and has serious impacts on marine wildlife, habitats and fish stocks. ALDFG may result in reduced profits when it continues to fish (‘ghost fishing’) and increased operational costs for vessel owners/operators and authorities through the replacement of lost gear and retrieval efforts. ALDFG also represents a navigational and safety at sea issue. As a global community, we all depend on our oceans and the health of the marine life within them. Oceans drive our climate, supply us with food, provide livelihoods, and play a critical social, environmental and economic role for us. But they are increasingly inundated with marine debris, restricting their ability to perform these crucial functions. During COFI 32 the Committee instructed FAO to conduct a number of pilot projects to explore the feasibility of gear marking, particularly in developing countries, and ghost gear retrieval.