Update of the GGGI Best Practice Framework for Fishing Gear Management

Client: Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI)

Project Dates: July 2020 - September 2020

Project objectives:
Launched in September 2015, the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) is a global alliance dedicated to tackling the problem of ghost fishing gear by building evidence about the extent of the problem; defining and implementing practices and informing policies that prevent gear from getting lost. Founded by World Animal Protection and now hosted by Ocean Conservancy, the GGGI’s strength lies in the diversity of its participants including the fishing industry, the private sector, academia, governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations.

Over the last decade or so there has been considerable attention brought on the scale of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and the impacts on the marine environment through ghost fishing, entanglement and habitat damage (Macfadyen et al, 2009). This attention has been revitalised in recent years by the growing realisation of the scale and potentially catastrophic impact of plastic pollution and its accumulation in the marine ecosystem, and the contribution of ALDFG to this global problem. In 2016 GGGI’s agreed focus was to develop best practice guidance on the management of fishing gear at the different stages of its life. In 2017 GGGI took a major step forwards by producing their Best Practice Framework (BPF) for the management of fishing gear. These guidelines have been used to influence government and industry practices in managing fishing gear responsibly and are widely seen as a major step forward in this space. A separate BPF for aquaculture-derived aquatic debris is also being produced by GGGI.

With the GGGI having been in operation for five years in September 2020, it has been decided that this should be celebrated by a ‘refresh’ of the BPF for fishing gear management. This will include a review of the lessons learned through its global implementation, as well as the new advances in fishing technology and practices since it was launched three years ago. The new look, and updated BPF will be launched in an event to coincide with a celebration of GGGI’s first five years of successful advocacy for reducing ghost fishing in the world’s oceans. This process has already started with GGGI staff and associates starting to compile the lessons learned over the last three years for compilation at the end of June 2020.

Poseidon services provided:
The Poseidon consultant worked with GGGI to review (i) the changes in fishing technology, gear design and traceability and (ii) the lessons learned through intensive GGGI promotion and engagement in the implementation of the 2017 BPF to update the document in tome for GGGIs’ fifth anniversary in September 2020. In particular the consultant:
1. Reviewed recent research, changes in policy approaches and new technology and practices in fishing gear design, use and traceability to update Part 1 of the 2017 BPF.
2. Working with other GGGI colleagues, compiled the lessons learned from over three years of implementation to update the stakeholder-focused guidance in part 2 of the 2017 BPF. This activity included an online ‘workshop’ to be organised by GGGI but facilitated by the consultant that reviewed, improved and validated the proposed changes.