EDMERP Details

General

Project Title

Project GHOST

Project Acronym

GHOST

Project Reference

Associated programme

Start Date

2013-01-01

End Date

2016-12-31

Geographic Area

Geocoverage

Northern Adriatic sea

Sea Area

Adriatic Sea

Observations

Data Theme

Environment

Biological oceanography

Fisheries and aquaculture

Description

Abstract

The project GHOST - co-funded under the LIFE + Biodiversity Instrument of the European Union, promotes concrete measures to preserve and improve the ecological status of the rocky habitats (Tegnùe) in the north Adriatic sea. The impacts of abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gears (ALDFG) on marine biodiversity will be evaluated and the removed gears/nets processed to identify appropriate procedures for recycling/reuse. The economic value of the ecosystem benefits resulting from ALDFG removal/reduction will be also considered. A Code of Conduct will be drawn up and negotiated with fishermen to sensitize them about this issue. Finally a regulation addressing various issues associated to sustainable management of ADFG will be proposed as a reference tool for local managing authorities in order to mitigate/prevent environmental and economic damages highlighted by the project. The term “ghost fishing” refers to commercial nets/gears that, lost or abandoned at sea by fishermen during fishing activities, continue for a while to passively capture those marine organisms which may eventually hang up on them. These nets, often nearly invisible in the dim light, can be left tangled on a rocky reef (as in the case of the Tegnùe habitats) or drifting in the open sea. They can entangle fish, dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, crabs, and other creatures. Acting as designed, the nets restrict movement, causing starvation, laceration and infection, and suffocation in those that need to return to the surface to breathe. Given the high-quality synthetics that are used today, the destruction can continue for a long time. Most fishing gears are not deliberately discarded but are lost during storms or as results from "gear conflicts". The main impacts of abandoned or lost fishing gears are: continued catches of fish -- known as "ghost fishing" -- and other animals such as turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals, who are trapped and die; alterations of the sea-floor environment and habitat functionality; the creation of navigation hazards that can cause accidents at sea and damage boats the creation of SCUBA hazards that can cause accidents and injury to divers.

Project website

http:// www.life-ghost.eu

Originators

Coordinator

CNR, Istituto di Scienze Marine (Sezione di Venezia - ex IBM)

Contact name

Da Ros Luisa

Fax

E-mail

luisa.daros@ismar.cnr.it

Other Partners

CNR, Istituto di Scienze Marine (Sezione di Venezia - ex IBM)

University IUAV of Venice

Administration

Local identifier

1574

Creation Date

2014-10-06

Revision Date

2014-10-06