Ghost Gear Report - 40

© Jürgen Freund/ WWF

Global policies and regional fisheries management organizations can play a key role in preventing
and mitigating ghost gear through binding and voluntary measures to which member states and
participating governments adhere. Unfortunately, the existing global legal framework that
considers abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear is fragmented and ineffective.
Regional frameworks are also fragmented and while some of them cover part of the problem, many
existing instruments are either limited in scope or do not provide measurable targets and timelines,
making it difficult to monitor progress at the regional, national, or global level.

RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS IN
THE PREVENTION, MITIGATION AND CURE OF
GHOST GEAR ARE:
● The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)118 sets out the legal
framework for all human activities in the ocean, requiring the protection and preservation of the
marine environment and the obligation to take all measures necessary to prevent, reduce and
control pollution from any source, including vessels and by dumping. Article 194 provides for
State regulation of fishing gear by providing for licensing of fishing equipment used in waters
under national jurisdiction. However, implementation and enforcement of these provisions
should be strengthened at the global, regional and national levels, including through the
adoption of adequate implementing legislation.
● Convention for Prevention of Marine Pollution (MARPOL)119, the principal convention
of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) against pollution at sea, is a key international
instrument to address pollution of the marine environment from ships. MARPOL obliges
governments to ensure the provision of adequate reception facilities at ports and terminals
for the reception of garbage without causing undue delay to ships, but the effectiveness of
ships to comply with MARPOL's discharge requirements depends largely upon the availability
of adequate port reception facilities. MARPOL Annex V120 prevents garbage pollution from
ships, e.g. by prohibiting dumping of ghost gear into the ocean. The Convention on the
Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London

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Ghost Gear Report

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Ghost Gear Report
