British Columbia to share in 8.3 million dollar Ghost Gear program

A Canadian Coast Guard vessel recovering abandoned gear
(photo from DFO)

Tackling the issue of lost and abandoned fishing gear will be on the to do list in the months ahead as a number of British Columbia organizations get a share of an  8.3 million dollar program towards what is know as Ghost Gear.

One of the largest contributors to marine litter around the world, Ghost gear is one of the deadliest forms of plastic debris. It's an ongoing concern that poses serious danger to marine animals like whales and turtles, the coastal and marine environment, and global fishing stocks.

“Fighting plastic pollution a priority for our government. We can’t have a health ocean or a strong blue economy if our waters are severely polluted by plastic. The overwhelming interest in the Ghost Gear Fund demonstrates that Canadians share this priority and want to be a part of the solution. The recipients of the fund will make a significant difference domestically, and internationally, as they remove ghost fishing gear from the oceans, recycle or dispose of it responsibly. Most importantly, they are creating tangible solutions to help prevent more plastic from entering our waters in the future.”   -- The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

To combat this threat, Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced funding today for 26 projects in Canada and around the world to help rid the oceans of this destructive litter.

In British Columbia, seven groups or organizations will take part in the program, they include:

BC Shellfish Growers Association
Ecotrust Canada
Emerald Sea Protection Society
Natural Resources Consultants
The Ocean Legacy Foundation
Pacific Prawn Fishermen’s Association
T Buck Suzuki Foundation

All of the projects fall into at least one of four categories: gear retrieval, responsible disposal, acquisition and piloting of available gear technology, and international leadership.

Thos organizations will be expanding on their plans as the program moves forward.

More background on today's announcement can be reviewed here.

For further notes of interest on the North Coast Fishery see our archive page here.