Ghost fishing, silent enemy of the oceans

Abstract

Fishing gear is lost or abandoned in all the world's seas, oceans and waterways, giving rise to the problem of ghost fishing. This problem occurs when abandoned fishing gear catches various species that are injured or even die of starvation or predation while trapped. Ghost fishing is a major ecological and socioeconomic problem, which has drawn the attention of the international community that recognizes the need for efforts to address the problems resulting from ghost fishing and their causes. This note concludes with a series of palliative and preventive measures that would help offset the global and regional impact of ghost fishing in the world's oceans.