Posted: January 24th, 2023

The global menace of “Abandoned, Lost or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear” (ALDFG)

The global menace of “Abandoned, Lost or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear” (ALDFG)

Fishing is one of the oldest and most important human activities, providing food, income and livelihoods for millions of people around the world. However, fishing also has negative impacts on the marine environment, especially when fishing gear is abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded (ALDFG). ALDFG is a term that encompasses any fishing gear that is no longer under the control of fishers, such as nets, lines, traps, pots, floats and buoys. ALDFG can pose serious threats to marine ecosystems, wildlife and human safety, as well as economic losses for fishers and coastal communities.

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), ALDFG is of increasing concern due to its numerous negative environmental and economic impacts, including navigational hazards and associated safety issues. The ability of ALDFG to continue to fish (often referred to as “ghost fishing”) has detrimental impacts on fish stocks and potential impacts on endangered species and benthic environments. The transboundary nature of the problem means that regional and international cooperation to deter ALDFG is vital (FAO 2021).

The magnitude and composition of ALDFG vary depending on the type, size and location of the fisheries, as well as the environmental conditions and management practices. A report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) suggests that gillnets and fishing traps/pots may be the most common type of ALDFG, although netting fragments may also be common in some locations. The report estimates that ALDFG accounts for about 10% of all marine litter globally, but this figure may be higher in some regions or fisheries (UNEP 2009).

The impacts of ALDFG are manifold and often interrelated. Some of the main impacts are:

– Ghost fishing: ALDFG can continue to catch target and non-target species, reducing their abundance and diversity, altering their behavior and ecology, and affecting their reproductive potential. Ghost fishing can also reduce the profitability and sustainability of fisheries, as well as increase the risk of overfishing and illegal fishing. Ghost fishing is difficult to quantify, but some studies have estimated that it can account for up to 30% of the total catch in some fisheries (Global Ghost Gear Initiative 2021).

– Entanglement: ALDFG can entangle marine animals such as turtles, seabirds, mammals and sharks, causing injuries, infections, starvation, suffocation or drowning. Entanglement can also impair their ability to feed, migrate, reproduce or escape predators. Entanglement is one of the major causes of mortality for many endangered or threatened species, such as sea turtles, whales and dolphins. According to a report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), more than 800 species have been affected by entanglement in ALDFG worldwide (WWF 2020).

– Habitat degradation: ALDFG can damage or destroy marine habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and rocky shores, reducing their biodiversity, productivity and resilience. ALDFG can also introduce invasive species or pathogens that can alter the native ecosystem balance. Habitat degradation can affect the ecosystem services that these habitats provide, such as nursery grounds, food sources, carbon sequestration and coastal protection.

– Pollution: ALDFG can contribute to marine pollution by releasing chemicals or microplastics that can accumulate in the food chain or affect water quality. ALDFG can also pose a risk of ingestion by marine animals or humans, causing health problems or death. Pollution can also affect the aesthetic value and recreational potential of marine areas.

– Socioeconomic losses: ALDFG can cause economic losses for fishers and coastal communities by reducing their catch efficiency, increasing their operational costs, damaging their gear or vessels, or requiring them to pay for retrieval or disposal of ALDFG. ALDFG can also affect other marine sectors such as tourism, shipping or aquaculture by creating navigational hazards or interfering with their activities. Moreover, ALDFG can have social and cultural impacts by affecting the livelihoods, food security or traditions of coastal communities.

The management of ALDFG is a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires a holistic and collaborative approach involving various stakeholders at different levels. Some of the key strategies to prevent, reduce or mitigate the impacts of ALDFG are:

– Marking: Marking fishing gear with identification tags or devices can help fishers to locate and retrieve their gear in case of loss or abandonment. It can also help authorities to trace the ownership and origin of ALDFG and enforce regulations or sanctions. Marking can also deter illegal or irresponsible fishing practices that may lead to ALDFG. In 2018, the FAO Committee on Fisheries endorsed the Voluntary Guidelines for the Marking of Fishing Gear, which provide a framework and guidance for the development and implementation of marking schemes (FAO 2021).

– Reporting: Reporting fishing gear loss or abandonment can help to monitor the extent and distribution of ALDFG and to inform management decisions. It can also facilitate the recovery or removal of ALDFG by fishers or other actors. Reporting can also increase the awareness and responsibility of fishers and other stakeholders regarding the impacts of ALDFG. Several initiatives have been developed to promote and facilitate reporting of ALDFG, such as online platforms, mobile applications or hotline numbers.

– Retrieval: Retrieval of ALDFG can help to reduce its impacts on the marine environment and wildlife, as well as to recover valuable resources or materials. Retrieval can be done by fishers themselves or by other actors such as governments, NGOs, research institutions or private companies. Retrieval can be supported by incentives, such as rewards, subsidies or tax deductions, or by regulations, such as mandatory reporting or retrieval obligations. Retrieval can also be integrated into regular fishing operations or other activities, such as surveys, patrols or clean-ups.

– Recycling: Recycling of ALDFG can help to minimize its contribution to marine pollution and waste generation, as well as to recover useful materials or energy. Recycling can be done by fishers themselves or by other actors such as recycling facilities or industries. Recycling can be supported by incentives, such as payments, discounts or credits, or by regulations, such as mandatory recycling obligations or standards. Recycling can also be facilitated by infrastructure, such as collection points, transport systems or processing plants.

– Education: Education of fishers and other stakeholders can help to raise their awareness and knowledge about the causes, impacts and solutions of ALDFG. Education can also foster their attitudes and behaviors towards responsible fishing practices and ALDFG management. Education can be delivered through various means, such as training courses, workshops, campaigns, media or outreach programs.

– Research: Research on ALDFG can help to improve the understanding and assessment of its magnitude, composition, distribution, impacts and solutions. Research can also support the development and evaluation of innovative technologies or methods to prevent, reduce or mitigate ALDFG. Research can be conducted by various actors, such as academic institutions, research organizations or industry partners.

ALDFG is a global menace that threatens the health and sustainability of marine ecosystems, wildlife and human activities. It is a shared responsibility that requires a coordinated and cooperative action from all stakeholders at all levels. By implementing effective and comprehensive strategies to manage ALDFG, we can protect our oceans and ensure their benefits for present and future generations.

References

FAO. 2021. Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG). Responsible Fishing Practices for Sustainable Fisheries. http://www.fao.org/responsible-fishing/marking-of-fishing-gear/aldfg/en/

Global Ghost Gear Initiative. 2021. FAQ. https://www.ghostgear.org/faq

UNEP. 2009. Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 185; FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 523. https://www.unep.org/resources/report/abandoned-lost-or-otherwise-discarded-fishing-gear

WWF. 2020. New Report from WWF Says Addressing Abandoned Fishing Gear Must be Central in the Fight Against Plastic Pollution. https://www.worldwildlife.org/press-releases/new-report-from-wwf-says-addressing-abandoned-fishing-gear-must-be-central-in-the-fight-against-plastic-pollution

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Tags: Lost or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear” (ALDFG), The global menace of “Abandoned