ALDFG
Supporting ALDFG actions in the HELCOM Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (RAP Marine Litter): Engaging fishers and stakeholders in reducing the input of ALDFG from recreational fisheries
Background
Recreational fishing is a popular activity in all countries with shorelines bordering the Baltic Sea. A study in 2017 estimated that 10 % of the population of the Baltic Sea catchment area (ca. 10 million people) were recreational fishers (Coalition Clean Baltic 2017). Recreational fishing provides many people with a leisure activity that has many benefits for the fisher (health, fellowship, food), as well as for local and national economies. Unfortunately, there are environmental consequences associated with such a large number of fishers. One negative aspect is the addition of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) to the Baltic Sea marine environment. Lost fishing gear from angling and gillnets make up a large portion of marine litter from recreational fisheries, but the loss of baits, sinkers and fishing line is also significant. In 2023, the Swedish Environmental Research Institute estimated that 21 million baits, 9 million sinkers and 96 million metres of fishing line were lost by HELCOM countries per year (IVL 2023).
Both awareness-raising among recreational fishers and fishing gear marking serve as tools to prevent and reduce gear losses. This project will focus on both.
Objectives
The purpose of the project is to reduce the input of ALDFG from recreational fishing by increasing awareness and facilitating implementation and further refinement of the recommendations from related HELCOM reports.
Approach
The project will focus on two deliverables:
1) An awareness-raising campaign targeting recreational fishers, with a special focus on gillnets, anglers, hooks and lines.
2) A webinar on best practices for the marking of recreational fishing gear, allowing policymakers and stakeholders to exchange experiences, ideas and solutions. This webinar will support the implementation of the recently adopted EU regulation mandating that certain passive gear used in recreational fisheries be clearly marked so that it can be identified and linked with the recreational fisher using the fishing gear or to its owner.
Project partners
The project is coordinated by HELCOM and implemented by KIMO International.
Project duration
The project will run from 13 October 2025 to 31 May 2026.
Funding
The project is funded by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.
Resources
WEBINAR: How can marking of recreational fishing gear help reduce gear loss?
Contact
Marta Ruiz
Associate Professional Secretary, HELCOM
marta.ruiz@helcom.fi