Event Calendar
If the calendar doesn't let you choose the next month, please try clearing your browser cache.
- This event has passed.
Call to Action: Participate in the Ghost Gear Survey
30 November 2024
As part of our ongoing commitment to marine conservation, we encourage our community to provide feedback to the Canadian federal government through the Ghost Gear Program’s Gear Management Survey. This initiative is crucial for addressing the issue of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear—commonly referred to as ghost gear—which poses significant threats to marine life and ecosystems.
During last year’s Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival, we hosted a NEMO talk titled “Seafloor Garbage in the Salish Sea” presented by Susan Anthony. This event highlighted the alarming prevalence of marine debris in our waters and sparked a lively discussion among attendees about how they could contribute to efforts aimed at reporting ghost gear and supporting its removal. Many community members expressed a desire to take action, and the Gear Management Survey provides an excellent opportunity to do just that.
Ghost gear not only harms marine wildlife but also affects local fisheries and the overall health of our oceans. According to research, ghost nets can entangle and kill various marine species, including endangered turtles and fish populations, leading to long-term ecological consequences (Wilcox et al., 2013). By participating in the Gear Management Survey, you can help the government understand the scope of the problem and develop effective strategies for managing and mitigating the impacts of ghost gear.
We urge you to take a few moments to complete the Gear Management Survey. Your insights are invaluable in shaping policies that protect our marine environment and ensure the sustainability of our local fisheries. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against marine debris and contribute to healthier oceans for future generations.
Ways to provide feedback
2. Send an email to DFO.GGProgram-ProgrammeEF.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca with your ideas or comments
3. Send a letter with your ideas to the following address:
Ghost Gear Program
C/O Fisheries and Harbours Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
200 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t miss the deadline!