Moncton, NB - Yesterday, Fisheries and Oceans Canada concluded the 2nd International Fishing Gear Innovation Summit in Moncton, New Brunswick. This solutions-driven forum showcased the leadership of Canada's fish harvesting community in protecting the economic prosperity of Canada's fisheries and coastal communities while finding ways to improve protections for marine species and habitats, including endangered whales.
During this two-day event, over 200 harvesters, technical experts, Indigenous groups, regulators, academia, and other partners from around the world shared knowledge about a range of innovative solutions to address abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ghost gear) and advance fishing gear technology to reduce the risk of whale entanglements.
These discussions provided valuable takeaways that will guide our work on Canada's Whalesafe Gear Strategy which will be finalized in Spring 2025. Information shared at the Summit will also inform the development of ghost gear-specific regulation and policy to further prevent gear loss. In the coming months, the Department will hold consultations about the development of responsible gear management regulations to further reduce gear loss while supporting sustainable fisheries.
The International Fishing Gear Innovation Summit is just one of Canada's commitments to combat lost fishing gear and support the transition to fishing gear that is safer for whales. Other commitments include Canada's upcoming Whalesafe Gear Strategy, the United Nations Environment Programme's Global Partnership on Plastic Pollution and Marine Litter and the Global Ghost Gear Initiative.
