Proceedings of the Untangled symposium: - WSPA

Annex 3Knowledge gapsDelegates were provided with a random selectionof the prioritised problems and proposed solutionsand asked to think about (1) what knowledge we, asan international community, already have to enableus to tackle this problem and (2) what necessaryinformation is unknown and who/where the sourcesof this kind of information might be.Problem: Ghost fishing nets are responsible for theentanglement of unacceptably large numbers ofmarine animals.Solution: Governments and fishing industry to cometogether to develop a regulatory framework based oneconomic incentives to reduce gear loss to decreaseunintended entanglement/mortality of wildlife.What do we know?• Nets get lost in marine environment, both intentionallyand accidently – causing entanglement• Nets can be re-used (for other purposes) or recycled• Locally illegal but no enforcement• Broad range of species affected• Countries are opposed to regulationsWhat is unknown?• How much is lost?• How long do these ghost nets ‘keep fishing’• Where in the world are the biggest problems?• What would prevent intentional disposal• Baseline data – monitoringWho knows it?• Fishing industry• Gear technology manufacturers• Coastal clean-up people• Enforcement agencies/governmentsWho might know?• Fishing community• Scientific community• Some government agencies• Some NGOs• Net owners (identification)Problem: Excess traps are used at a number offisheries across the globe. Millions of these trapsare lost at sea every year and continue to fishindiscriminately for periods of months to years.They entangle and suffocate marine wildlifeincluding turtles and seabirds.Solution: Reduce the number of derelict traps byreducing the number of traps used.What do we know?• Impacts many species of animal on a global scale• Some key geographic locations• Trap limits exist in some areas• Effects of habitat on trap loss• There is local awareness of issue in some areasWhat is unknown?• Numbers of traps• How to prevent traps being lost• Impact on animal populations (conservation issues)• Long term datasets• Level of fisherman engagement – likely success• Relationship between number of pots used and thenumber lost• Mechanisms of entanglement• Level of reporting and enforcement• What species• Economic impact• What the best alternative technology available isWho knows it?• Fishermen, scientists, specialists• UK – IFCA• Some government agencies• Some NGOs• Development agenciesWho might know?• Fishermen, public, divers• Scientists• Government – fishing authorities• Fishing community• Some NGOs• Maritime authorities• Modellers, marine biologists• Trap manufacturers25