Fisheries and Oceans Canada's (DFO) Ghost Gear Program has a total of $10 million available for projects focused on the reduction, prevention and retrieval of ghost gear (abandoned and lost fishing gear). Interested proponents are encouraged to submit their applications by June 6, 2022, by 23:59 pm PST to be considered.
Ghost gear, also referred to as ALDFG, (for nets, line, rope, traps, pots, and floats), is a form of marine pollution that can be fatal to fish, marine mammals and other marine life, poses a navigation hazard, and also breaks down into other forms of pollution such as microplastics. The Ghost Gear Fund aims at increasing participation in ghost gear retrieval operations in Canada, assisting with disposal of end-of-life fishing gear and retrieved ghost gear, and acquiring and testing new fishing gear technologies aimed at reducing fishing gear loss.
In 2020, the Sustainable Fisheries Solutions and Retrieval Support Contribution Program (Ghost Gear Fund) was launched. In the past two years, more than $16.7 million has been allocated to 49 projects focused on the reduction, prevention and retrieval of ghost gear. The Program is pleased to announce another call-for-proposals which is now open for applicants. This round of funding has a total of $10 million available for projects both inside and outside of Canada which can be completed by March 31, 2023.
For more information on the Ghost Gear Fund, including the application process and previously funded projects please visit the Ghost Gear Fund website. For more details on how proposals will be evaluated, please refer to the Application Guidelines.
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