Pilot Project Allows Offshore Harvesters to Remove ‘Ghost Gear’ from Oceans – VOCM

Offshore harvesters are tackling the age-old problem of ghost fishing in an effort to create healthier, cleaner oceans.

Andrew Titus is taking part in the pilot project. He is the former captain of Mersey Seafoods northern shrimp vessel the Mersey Phoenix.

Lost or abandoned fishing gear, often referred to as ghost gear, pollutes oceans and contributes to the mortality of fish stocks. If not retrieved, ghost fishing gear can continue the destructive cycle of entangling and killing marine species for many years.

The United Nations has estimated that 640,000 tons of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear enters the ocean annually.

The DFO removes ghost gear from the Gulf of St. Lawrence during Operation Ghost in 2019. Photo from DFO website.

Prior regulations didnt allow harvesters and others to keep the ghost gear and bring it to land. Titus says DFO has now allowed that.

He says thats the biggest change and theyve convinced DFO that will contribute to a healthier and cleaner ocean.

Observers will record the position of the ghost gear, collect them from the ocean and store them on their ships.

He compares ghost gear to trash in the woods.

Titus says its the breakdown of whats essentially garbage.

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Pilot Project Allows Offshore Harvesters to Remove 'Ghost Gear' from Oceans - VOCM