| dc.description.abstract | Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) has received increased global attention in recent decades owing to its pervasive impacts on the marine environment. As international interest and awareness continues to grow, many nations have since taken steps to enact policies and initiatives to specifically combat ALDFG. This study seeks to examine Canada’s efforts towards addressing ALDFG by reviewing the federally-led Ghost Gear Fund (GGF), established by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) over an initial 2-year period (2020-2022). To identify the challenges and opportunities of this program, past GGF partners from DFO’s Maritimes Region were invited to participate in an online survey and follow-up interview to share their insights and experiences with the GGF. Additionally, to help inform recommendations for Canada’s ALDFG strategies more broadly, legislation and initiatives adopted in the United States (U.S.) and Norway were evaluated for comparative purposes. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that any future iteration of the GGF program for DFO’s Maritimes Region be implemented over a multi-year timeframe and with the adoption of several operational changes to address common challenges and issues expressed by GGF partners.
Keywords: Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG); ghost gear; fisheries management; Ghost Gear Fund; Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO); United States (U.S.); Norway. | en_US |
