Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG, or “ghost gear”) is both a significant source of marine plastic pollution and one of the most harmful forms to marine life. Fishing gears’ design to capture aquatic species means when lost it has significant negative impacts on marine life, including endangered whale populations, the coastal and marine environment, global fish stocks and the lives and livelihoods of those that depend on fishing.

This event will assemble panelists from nations who are members of two international forums, the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative. The Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation is a new multilateral forum which brings together an unprecedented number of coastal Atlantic countries across Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and the Caribbean to engage in collective problem-solving and uphold a set of shared principles for Atlantic cooperation.

The Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), hosted by Ocean Conservancy, is the only global cross-sectoral alliance dedicated to driving solutions to address abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear worldwide and brings together stakeholders across the entire seafood supply chain.

Co-hosted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative and in collaboration with the Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation, the event will provide panelists the opportunity to share perspectives and discuss ways to promote best practices and international cooperation on the management of ghost gear, followed by a Q&A session.

Presenters:

• Jennifer Buie, Director General – Fisheries Resource Management, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Hannah Pragnell-Raasch, Policy Specialist, Global Ghost Gear Initiative
• Marina Petrovic, Assistant Director, National Programs and Manager, Ghost Gear Program, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Mrs. Lydia Essuah, Chair of the Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN), Representing Ghana
• Paola Acuña, Legal Advisor, expert on fishing gear, Costa Rica
• Ambassador Jessye Lapenn, Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation