Go to main content

The International Conference on Ghost Gear 2023


fishing gear on a dock with a ship in the background, in sunset

Ghost fishing is a huge problem for both animal welfare and the enviroment. Lost gear can fish for uptil 10 years. 

Photo: Susanna H. Thorbjørnsen/IMR
Date 07. November 2023 - 08. November 2023 09:00 - 16:00
Location Arendal Kulturhus, Arendal, Norway

We would like to welcome you to the International Conference on Ghost Gear 2023 in Arendal, Norway. 

We will be located at the shores of Raet National Park where researchers, managers, divers and local enthusiasts has worked to battle ghost fishing for several years.

Together, we have worked to both remove ghost gear and to gain a better understanding of the extent of the problem and the effect from ghost fishing on local populations of fish and invertebrates.

However, we are all aware that efforts to remove ghost gear must be combined with resolutions to reduce the supply of lost gear and gear modifications that reduce the loss or the danger to marine life after loss.

We wish to bring together managers, researchers, specialists in ghost gear removal and gear producers to find solutions for how to reduce the effects of ghost gear on marine populations and ecosystems. Abstract submission is now open, and we are very excited to receive your contributions. We welcome submissions for talks (15 mins), speed talks (5 mins) and posters.

We will also have spaces for trade booths where companies can display solutions for gear removal and new gear technology. 

Abstract submission is now open. Deadline: September 1

Registration is open here (1500 NOK).

Company registration by email to arrangementshjelpen@hi.no.
Company registrations includes one trade booth, two registrations and two dinner tickets (12,500 NOK incl. VAT).

Accomodation offer for the conference is now available. Book by October 1st to get reduced rates.

Program outline

Monday evening

Welcome function

 

Tuesday

Opening ceremony
Speaker: Joel Baziuk (GGGI) ++


Science and management
Keynote speaker: Dr Kelsey Richardson, FAO


Technology for gear removal
Keynote speaker: Tord Aslaksen, Green-bay AS

 

Wednesday

Awareness and prevention of gear loss
Keynote speaker: Representative from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)


Gear technology and recycling
Keynote speaker: TBA

 

The Institute of Marine Research and The Directorate of Fisheries are co-hosting the conference. 

Supported by: 

 blue oval logo for the IMR and blue logo for the Fishery directorat, on side of each othergreen logo with arrows in a circle

Partners:

Global ghost gear initiative logoMarfo logo