COBSEA (the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia) has taken a significant step forward in addressing the critical issue of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) with the launch of a Toolbox on Ghost Gear. The Toolbox was developed in partnership with a range of organizations, with support from the Government of Canada's Ghost Gear Fund.
ALDFG or ghost gear poses a grave threat to marine habitats, species, and communities that depend on these vital ecosystems in the region. The COBSEA Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP MALI) identifies action to prevent and reduce marine litter from sea-based sources, including fishing gear, as a regional priority.
The Toolbox provides a comprehensive resource that compiles different sources of information, equipping stakeholders with in-depth knowledge, practical tools, and best practices to prevent, recover, and manage ghost gear effectively. The toolbox provides accessible resources to empower individuals and communities to make a tangible impact in safeguarding marine ecosystems, including case studies of good practices for replication, and educational videos in languages from the region. By sharing this knowledge, COBSEA empowers individuals and organizations to take informed actions in protecting the East Asian Seas.
These educational videos aim to raise awareness about the damaging impact of ghost gear on marine life and ecosystems, providing viewers with practical insights and actionable solutions, covering topics such as preventive measures, retrieval techniques, and responsible recycling practices. The ghost gear videos have been carefully translated into 9 languages, including Chinese, English, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, Korean, Malay, Thai, and Vietnamese, to ensure that the message reaches a wider audience. This multilingual approach is intended to engage individuals from various backgrounds and cultures, fostering a global community dedicated to marine conservation.
