Ottawa, Ontario - The Government of Canada is working hard to protect our oceans and the marine life they sustain. We have been clear that our target is to protect 25% of our oceans by 2025, working toward 30% by 2030. As we work to increase marine protections from coast to coast to coast, we are also working to rid our oceans of harmful waste.
Lost and abandoned fishing gear, or 'ghost gear,' is one of the largest contributors to marine litter around the world. It is one of the deadliest forms of plastic debris and poses serious danger to marine animals like whales and turtles, the coastal and marine environment, and global fishing stocks. To combat this threat, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is funding 26 projects in Canada and around the world to help rid the oceans of this destructive litter.
The $8.3 million Sustainable Fisheries Solutions and Retrieval Support Contribution Program, known as the Ghost Gear Fund will fund 22 projects in Canada and four internationally over the next two years. All projects fall into at least one of four categories: gear retrieval, responsible disposal, acquisition and piloting of available gear technology, and international leadership.
Recipients of the Ghost Gear Fund include:
British Columbia
- 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
Quebec
- ACPG Capitaines Propriétaires de la Gaspésie
- Les Cultures du Large Inc.
- Merinov
- Regroupement des pêcheurs professionnels du sud de la Gaspésie
New Brunswick
- Fundy North Fisherman's Association
- Maliseet Nation Conservation Council
Nova Scotia
- Cape Breton Fish Harvesters Association
- Coastal Action
- CSR GeoSurveys Ltd.
- Eastern Nova Scotia Marine Stewardship Society
- Fishing Gear Coalition of Atlantic Canada
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Fish, Food, and Allied Workers Union (FFAW-UNIFOR)
- Petty Harbour Fisherman's Cooperative
International
- Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
- Ocean Conservancy (Global Ghost Gear Initiative®)
- Stand Out For Environment Restoration Initiative
