Abandoned, Lost and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear in the Eastern Caribbean: Barriers, Challenges, and Opportunities for Improved Governance

Abstract

Abstract In recent years there has been a growing focus on filling critical knowledge gaps on the challenge of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in the global ocean. While not the biggest contributor to the world’s marine debris problem, ALDFG has been shown to be a particularly deadly form of marine litter due to its ability to entangle, entrap, and ensnare marine wildlife, damage coastal habitats, and result in negative economic impacts to the fishing sector. In the Eastern Caribbean region, fisheries play a crucial role in ensuring livelihood and food security for vulnerable coastal communities. Therefore effective management interventions that are geared towards eliminating anthropogenic threats to the marine environment, including ALDFG are considered of paramount importance. This article aims to gain insight into challenges associated with the governance of ALDFG within the small-scale fisheries of the Eastern Caribbean with a view to outlining opportunities for improvement. A qualitative approach was utilized and interviews were conducted with fisheries and conservation experts from both national and regional-level institutions. The participants revealed that ALDFG was of significant concern for their country or the region and each advocated for the establishment of improved management infrastructure. Identified barriers that could impede this critical goal include limited human and financial capacity, lack of knowledge and understanding of ALDFG generally, lack of trust, and policy incoherence across sectors and between regional and national agencies. To overcome barriers, a multi-faceted approach is required, including regulatory and institutional improvements.