The growing quantity of plastic waste in the marine environment including abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a global problem. A particular feature of ALDFG is the potential of some gears to carry on fishing for many months or even years. The study examines legal responses to ALDFG in the context of marine fisheries. After discussing the nature of the problem of ALDFG and some of the reasons why fishing gear is abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded, the study examines the response of the international community to ALDFG. A key finding is that ALDFG is at the same time, a fishing issue, a navigation problem (of vessel source pollution) and an environmental problem with the resulting involvement of FAO, IMO and UNEP as well as the UN General Assembly. After examining potential legal approaches to the problem, the study then describes the basic legal and institutional arrangements in four case study jurisdictions that have adopted legal measures to address ALDFG, namely Australia, the European Union and its Member States, Norway and the USA finding once again the tripartite responsibility of fisheries, navigation and environment ministries/agencies. The inter-sectoral nature of ALDFG suggests the need for a collaborative and coordinated approach. While not all of the case study jurisdictions make use of all ten of the individual legal measures identified, the case studies also clearly show that ALDFG is a problem that is susceptible to a legal response at the national or regional level including through the use of extended producer responsibility schemes, various reporting requirements and gear standards. Legal tools to address the problem of ALDFG clearly exist. The extent to which some, or all, of them are necessary or appropriate in a given context at national, regional or global level is not ultimately a legal question but a political one.
This book describes how man-made litter, primarily plastic, has spread into the remotest parts of the oceans and covers all aspects of this pollution problem from the impacts on wildlife and human health to socio-economic and political issues. Marine litter is a prime threat to marine wildlife, habitats and food webs worldwide. The book illustrates how advanced technologies from deep-sea research, microbiology and mathematic modelling as well as classic beach litter counts by volunteers contributed to the broad awareness of marine litter as a problem of global significance. The authors summarise more than five decades of marine litter research, which receives growing attention after the recent discovery of great oceanic garbage patches and the ubiquity of microscopic plastic particles in marine organisms and habitats. In 16 chapters, authors from all over the world have created a universal view on the diverse field of marine litter pollution, the biological impacts, dedicated research activities, and the various national and international legislative efforts to combat this environmental problem. They recommend future research directions necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this environmental issue and the development of efficient management strategies. This book addresses scientists, and it provides a solid knowledge base for policy makers, NGOs, and the broader public.
The Voluntary Guidelines on the Marking of Fishing Gear are a tool to contribute to sustainable fisheries, to improve the state of the marine environment, and to enhance safety at sea by combatting, minimizing and eliminating abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and facilitating the identification and recovery of such gear. The Guidelines assist fisheries management and can be used as a tool in the identification of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. The Guidelines address the purpose and principles, the scope of application and the implementation of a gear marking system and its associated components, including reporting, recovery and disposal of ALDFG or unwanted fishing gear and commercial traceability of fishing gear. The Guidelines also contain special considerations for developing States and small-scale fisheries with a view to capacity development, as well as guidance on conducting a risk-based approach to implementing gear marking systems. The Guidelines are expected to assist States in meeting their obligations under international law, including relevant international agreements and related governance frameworks and the specific requirements for gear marking contained in FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Les Directives volontaires sur le marquage des engins de pêche constituent un outil permettant de contribuer à la pêche durable, d'améliorer l'état de l'environnement marin et de renforcer la sécurité en mer en combattant, réduisant et éliminant les engins de pêche abandonnés, perdus ou rejetés (ALDFG) mais également de faciliter l'identification et la récupération de ces engins. Les Directives favorisent la gestion de la pêche et peuvent être utilisées pour identifier les activités de pêche illégales, non déclarées et non réglementées (INDNR). Les Directives traitent de l'objectif et des principes, du champ d'application et de la mise en œuvre d'un système de marquage des engins et de l’ensemble de ses composantes, notamment la notification, la récupération et l'élimination des ALDFG ou des engins de pêche indésirables ainsi que de la traçabilité commerciale du marquage des engins de pêche. Les Directives contiennent également des considérations spéciales pour les États en développement et les pêcheries artisanales pour le renforcement des capacités, ainsi que des orientations sur le développement d'une approche fondée sur les risques pour la mise en œuvre de systèmes de marquage des engins. Les Directives devraient aider les États à s’acquitter de leurs obligations en vertu du droit international, notamment des accords internationaux pertinents et des cadres de gouvernance connexes, ainsi que des exigences spécifiques en matière de marquage des engins figurant dans le Code de conduite de la FAO pour une pêche responsable. Las Directrices voluntarias sobre el marcado de las artes de pesca son un instrumento que contribuye a la pesca sostenible, a mejorar las condiciones del ambiente marino y a consolidar la seguridad en el mar, combatiendo, reduciendo al mínimo y eliminando los ALDFG y facilitando la identificación y recuperación de dichos aparejos. Estas Directrices contribuyen a la ordenación pesquera y se pueden utilizar como herramienta para identificar las actividades de pesca ilegal, no declarada y no reglamentada (pesca INDNR). Asimismo, abordan las finalidades y principios, el ámbito de la aplicación y la implementación de un sistema de marcado las artes de pesca y sus componentes conexos, incluidas la presentación de informes, la recuperación y la eliminación de los ALDFG. Contienen, además, consideraciones especiales para los Estados en desarrollo y los pescadores artesanales con miras al desarrollo de capacidad, además de orientaciones para conducir enfoques basados en los riesgos para aplicar los sistemas de marcado de las artes de pesca. Se espera que estas Directrices ayuden a los Estados a cumplir sus obligaciones derivadas del Derecho internacional, incluidos los acuerdos internacionales relevantes y los marcos de gobernanza conexos, además de los requisitos específicos para el marcado de las artes de pesca, estipulados en el Código de Conducta de la FAO para la Pesca Responsable (CCPR).
An overview of the occurrence and effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms, with recommendations regarding seafood safety and security, environmental risk assessment approaches and targeted monitoring of microplastics in the environment.
FAO in collaboration with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), convened a series of regional workshops on Best Practices to Prevent and Reduce Abandoned, Lost and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) between May and November 2019. The workshops which involved Government representatives, Regional Bodies, relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, the fishing industry and other regional stakeholders covered the Southwest Pacific, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and South America and the Caribbean regions. Workshop participants reviewed existing measures for addressing fishing-related marine debris in particular ALDFG, considered best available information that supports further development of best practices for the management of fishing gear, discussed provisions required within international instruments and identify region-specific challenges, opportunities and priority needs. The main objective was to increase understanding and awareness of the Voluntary Guidelines for the Marking of Fishing Gear (VGMFG) and relevant best practice as outlined in the GGGI’s Best Practice Framework for the Management of Fishing Gear (BPF). The main output of the workshops were a set of recommendations to inform next steps to be taken towards the development of national action plans or strategies to align, as appropriate, policies, legislation, systems and operations to the provisions of the VGMFG and the BPF, which will support the implementation of regional action plans to address marine litter from sea-based activities, especially ALDFG.
In the sixteen years since the last edition of Von Brant’s classic work was published, fishing and fisheries have undergone vast changes. Not only has there been great progress in the development of new tools, materials and techniques, but the industry has seen an increasing need to address controversial issues such as declining fish stocks, enormous quantities of bycatch and discard and the impact of towed fishing gear on the environment. Fully revised and updated to reflect such changes, the fourth edition of this widely read and popular book offers: A unique, comprehensive survey of the evolution of fishing methods throughout the world Approximately 750 illustrations showing the extensive range of methods, techniques and equipment used in fishing across the globe Fishing gear classified according to the FAO system Additional chapters: Fishing Effects on Fish Stocks and Environment and Fishery and Gear Research All researchers, fisheries scientists, fisheries students, administrators and libraries in universities and research establishments where fish and fisheries are studied and taught will find this book a valuable addition to their shelves. Commercial and sports fishermen will also find Fish Catching Methods of the World a fascinating and vital reference.
This document elaborates the revised International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear (ISSCFG), as endorsed and adopted for implementation by the FAO Coordinating Working Party on Fishery Statistics (CWP) at its Twenty-fifth Session in February 2016 in Rome, Italy. The classification applies to commercial, subsistence and recreational fisheries in marine and freshwater fisheries. The document provides definitions and illustrations of the configuration and mode of operation of typical fishing gears. The primary purpose is to assist FAO Members, regional fishery bodies, as well as those working on fishery statistics and management, to correctly attribute and report fisheries catches made by different gear types. The document also contributes to the prevention, deterrence and elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing by providing monitoring, control and surveillance personnel with information to identify the type of fishing gear with regard to licence and authorization to carry out fishing operations. Finally, the document also provides context and references for some contemporary conservation issues related to major fishing gear types; it can therefore be used as a reference text for students and researchers in fisheries and marine conservation.
This open access book provides a comprehensive examination of the European Landing Obligation policy from many relevant perspectives. It includes evaluations of its impacts at economical, socio-cultural, ecological and institutional levels. It also discusses the feasibility and benefits of several potential mitigation strategies. The book was timely published, exactly at the time where the Landing Obligation was planned to be fully implemented. This book is of significant interest to all stakeholders involved, but also to the general public of Europe and to other jurisdictions throughout the world that are also searching for ways to deal with by-catch and discard issues.
