The International Conference on Ghost Gear 2023

fishing gear on a dock with a ship in the background, in sunset — Ghost fishing is a huge problem for both animal welfare and the enviroment. Lost gear can fish for uptil 10 years.
Photo: Susanna H. Thorbjørnsen/IMR

07. November 2023 - 08. November 2023 09:00 - 16:00

Arendal Kulturhus, Arendal, Norway

We would like to welcome you to the International Conference on Ghost Gear 2023 in Arendal, Norway.

Located at the shores of Raet National Park where researchers, managers, divers and local enthusiasts has worked to battle ghost fishing for several years.

Norway’s history on battling ghost fishing starts 40 years ago when an annual retrieval survey to remove offshore pots and gillnets from the commercial fishery was established.

Later, the efforts expanded into the coastal zone through the force of recreational divers, researchers and non-profit enterprises. Together, they have worked to both remove ghost gear and to gain a better understanding of the extent of the problem and the effect from ghost fishing on local populations of fish and invertebrates.

However, it has become clear that efforts to remove ghost gear must be combined with resolutions to reduce the supply of lost gear and gear modifications that reduce the loss or the danger to marine life after loss.

We wish to bring together managers, researchers, specialists in ghost gear removal and gear producers to find solutions for how to reduce the effects of ghost gear on marine populations and ecosystems. Abstract submission is now open, and we are very excited to receive your contributions. We welcome submissions for talks (15 mins), speed talks (5 mins) and posters.

We will also have spaces for trade booths where companies can display solutions for gear removal and new gear technology.

Abstract submission is now open. Deadline: August 15th