Ghost Gear Fund

On this page

• Program overview
• Purpose of the Ghost Gear Fund
• Program pillars
• Eligibility
• Timelines
• How to apply

Program overview

The Ghost Gear Fund is a federally funded program led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, intended to support Canada’s commitment to preventing and mitigating the risk of ghost fishing and encouraging the development of sustainable fishing practices, particularly as it applies to abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) domestically and abroad. This work is being carried out as part of the Government of Canada’s broader commitments to support national and international efforts to reduce plastics in our oceans and the use of plastics in government operations, and to reduce the occurrence and effects of ghost gear around the world.

To date, the Ghost Gear Fund has funded 91 projects, for a total of $26.7 million.

Purpose of the current call for proposals under the Ghost Gear Fund

The purpose of this call for proposals is to solicit applications for projects located in Atlantic Canada and Quebec that were impacted by Hurricane Fiona. This focused call for proposals is for projects based in Atlantic Canada and Quebec that were affected by the recent severe weather, and have resulted in a large volume of lost fishing gear. Applicants from outside of the affected area are eligible to apply for funding, but must clearly demonstrate how their project will benefit this geographic area. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals based on the program pillars listed below.

The Ghost Gear Fund continues to encourage the sustainable management of Canada’s fisheries, Indigenous fisheries programs, aquaculture activities, and support commercial fishing harbours to take concrete actions to support ALDFG prevention, retrieval and responsible disposal. The Ghost Gear Fund will also support fish harvesters to acquire new gear technologies to reduce the occurrence of gear loss.

Program pillars

Approved projects in this current call for proposals will be funded based on activities under three of programs pillars:

• Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) retrieval*;
• Responsible disposal; and
• Acquisition and piloting of currently available innovative technologies.

*ALDFG retrieval programs are required to take place outside of active fishing seasons.

Eligibility

Eligible recipients must fall under one of the following categories where they contribute to research, development, management, conservation, harvesting, protection or promotion of fisheries and oceans resources: Not-for-profit and charitable organizations, Canadian or International;

• Not-for-profit and charitable organizations, Canadian or International;
• Companies, businesses, organizations, associations, Canadian or International;
• Indigenous organizations/communities**;
• Recognized research, academic, and educational institutions;
• Other levels of government and their agencies or Crown corporations; and
• Canadian individuals.

**for more details see the Application Guidelines

Timelines

Applications must be submitted by January 6, 2023 23:59 PST to be considered. Recipients selected for funding must begin their project after April 1^st 2023 and complete their project by March 31, 2024.

How to apply

The application period is now closed.