Fishing Gear

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered at on 7 October 2019.

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Photo of Luke Pollard Luke Pollard Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) (Fisheries, Flooding and Water)

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the amount of abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear from UK and foreign fishing fleets around the UK coastline.

Photo of Rebecca Pow Rebecca Pow The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

An error has been identified in the written answer given on 04 October 2019.

The correct answer should have been:

Abandoned, lost and otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is estimated to comprise 40 – 70% of man-made waste in the ocean measured by weight. Ascertaining the extent of the ALDFG that ends up in UK waters faces a number of challenges, including the movement of ALDFG with ocean currents. One of the best indicators is the Marine Conservation Society’s beach clean data, which indicate that fishing-related litter is amongst the ten most prevalent items recorded on UK beaches.

Defra recognises addressing ALDFG as a key priority. We are an active member of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI): a pioneering and cross-cutting initiative that engages with communities around the world to collaboratively address the problem. The UK Government has provided funding to the GGGI to conduct bespoke workshops with stakeholders to raise awareness and train fishers in sustainable best practice.

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Photo of Rebecca Pow Rebecca Pow The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Abandoned, lost and otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is estimated to comprise 40 – 70% of man-made waste in the ocean measured by weight. Ascertaining the extent of the ALDFG that ends up in UK waters faces a number of challenges, including the movement of ALDFG with ocean currents. One of the best indicators is the Marine Conservation Society’s beach clean data, which indicate that fishing-related litter is amongst the ten most prevalent items recorded on UK beaches.

Defra recognises addressing ALDFG as a key priority. We are an active member of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI): a pioneering and cross-cutting initiative that engages with communities around the world to collaboratively address the problem. The UK Government has provided funding to the GGGI to conduct bespoke workshops with stakeholders to raise awareness and train fishers in sustainable best practice.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes1 person thinks so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.