Geospatial prediction, prioritization and impact assessment of ghost fishing gear in the Gulf of St Lawrence

Abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) has been recognized as a global threat to the marine environment. The use of modern materials in the fabrication of fishing gear mean that these do not biodegrade in the marine environment and can remain intact for decades. As a result, ALDFG can continue to catch and entangle marine life, effectively becoming ghost fishing gear. Detection and removal of ALDFG from the marine environment is one strategy to reduce environmental impacts of the gear. However, locating ALDFG can be extremely difficult, and the geographic position of lost gear is usually not known. This project will develop methods to predict likely areas (i.e. hotspots) of lost fishing gear at the seabed, integrating seafloor environmental, ocean circulation, fishing pressure, and vulnerable species data sets within a Geographic Information System (GIS). Ultimately, the research will develop geospatial risk assessment tools to identify areas of high priority for cleanup based on spatial overlap of species vulnerable to ALDFG impacts and ALDFG hotspots.

Faculty Supervisor:

Craig J Brown

Student:

Partner:

Centre Interdisciplinaire de Développement en Cartographie des Océans

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Dalhousie University

Program: