Nothing fishy about it: Meaningful measures on fishing gear at IMO

The main component of sea-based sources of marine plastic pollution is abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear, also referred to as ghost gear. Fishing gear accounts for approximately 10 per cent of global marine plastic pollution though in some regions it is closer to half the overall mass in our oceans and seas.

Fishing gear pollution has serious impacts on marine wildlife, habitats and fish stocks while also reducing fishing profits, destroying marine resources and increasing operational costs for vessel operators and authorities through gear replacement and retrieval efforts.

Once in the marine environment, fishing gear also represents a navigational and safety hazard as floating nets and ropes threaten to entangle propellers and foul active fishing gear.