Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), also known as ghost gear, is a significant environmental issue.
Its importance was reiterated at the thirty-sixth session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI) in 2024, with several countries raising concerns regarding ALDFG.
In 2021, the GFCM adopted Resolution GFCM/44/2021/14 on abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear, building on Recommendation GFCM/42/2018/11 concerning the regional marking of fishing gear.
This recommendation encourages the use of marking systems that allow gear to be readily identified, in accordance with national legislation and internationally accepted standards, such as the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear.
With ongoing discussions at the United Nations level on developing a treaty to combat plastic pollution – including critical provisions addressing the issue of fishing gear – the GFCM published a graphic novel highlighting the efforts of fishers and stakeholders in the Mediterranean and Black Sea region towards addressing the issue of ghost gear.
To facilitate the removal of ghost gear and avoid damage, it is important to act fast.
However, retrieving ghost gear immediately is not always feasible. Fishers might lack the proper tools, and bad climate conditions or entanglement can make this operation too risky.
When not removed, ghost gear can gradually integrate into the environment, with algae, invertebrates and small fish sometimes colonizing it.
When timely action is not possible, science can help determine when it is possible to remove ghost gear without disrupting the local ecosystem or when it is safer to monitor and reassess the situation in the future.
Fishing gear should always be marked so that it can be identified and recovered.
This should be done in line with existing rules. If a fishing gear is lost for any reason, fishers should follow these two steps:
- Note in the logbook where the fishing gear was lost.
- Inform the port authorities so they can mark the location and coordinate efforts to retrieve the gear as quickly as possible.
Factsheet on abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear
Multimedia gallery
This gallery includes pictures and videos gathered from Mediterranean and Black Sea countries showcasing efforts to retrieve ghost gear and the process of marking fishing gear.
