Training on FAO ALDFG Global Survey
As part of the Responsible Fishing Operations Work Plan, FAO has designed Global Survey to better understand the causes and magnitude of the abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) problem and the current practices to prevent and reduce it around the world.
The survey is addressed to fishers and it covers the ten fishing gear types as per International Standard Statistical Classification of Fishing Gear. The first trial during the development phase was conducted in collaboration with SEAFDEC in Thailand. The survey will be also implemented in selected Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) fleets in Pakistan and Seychelles.
Furthermore, FAO collaboration with the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) continues through the implementation of FAO surveys in Belize pot fishery and is about to start collecting responses from Mexican fishers with the help of researchers from various fisheries institutions in Mexico.
As part of the surveys, remote trainings are held to instruct the interviewers. On 17th November 2021, FAO fishing gear expert delivered a training to the Mexican team, which is eager to start collecting information from local fishers.
Mexico is among the top ten countries worldwide that have increased their fishing catch during 2007-2016 and the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean in terms of reported number of fishing vessels in 2018 (SOFIA, 2020). FAO team is very pleased to have the opportunity to work with the GGGI-Mexico team to conduct this important survey that will shed some light on the ALDFG problem in this important fishery nation.
Photo: ©FAO/Kurt Arrigo