Fishing Gear Management Plan in the Arctic

This project serves as an implementation activity under the theme “Reducing Marine Litter from Fisheries and Aquaculture” in the Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter in the Arctic (ML-RAP). It builds on the findings from the Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) project to develop new proposals for guidance for management of fishing gear on board fishing vessels in the Arctic.

The output from the project is intended to contribute to ongoing processes in IMO regarding new requirements for planning of onboard management of fishing gear.

The key objectives are to:

• Create a deeper understanding of the sources and causes of fishing gear litter in the Arctic and Near-Arctic in order to more effectively address the issue
• Develop proposal for FGMPs adapted to Arctic conditions for different fisheries.
• Ensure synergies with other international processes, and benefits for the IMO’s efforts to develop measures to reduce littering from fishing vessels, and,
• Create a platform for dialogue and cooperation between Arctic States and with fishing industry regarding the issue of lost fishing gear parts and net cuttings

Main activities:

Analysis of existing knowledge on fisheries, and sources and causes of marine litter in the Arctic and Near-Arctic, stakeholder engagement including involvement of fishing industry, researchers, NGOs, policymakers, ports, gear manufacturers, etc., and writing of a report describing current status for fisheries and identified marine litter from fisheries in the Arctic, why parts of fishing gear end up in the sea and how a “fishing gear management plan” can be adapted to Arctic conditions to prevent marine litter.

The outcome from Marine Litter workshop in late 2025 will contribute to the development of this project. This project will also include a meeting or a workshop with representatives from Arctic States and fishing industry from the Arctic and Near-Arctic. This is important to increase the understanding of current practices and routines, and relevant challenges, and to facilitate dialogue on these issues.