Ghost Gear Fund (GGF) Project Proposal

This form is for applicants to submit a project proposal to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)’s Ghost Gear Fund (GGF).

This project proposal must be fully completed, and submitted electronically, in order to be considered for funding. Further guidance can be found in the Ghost Gear Fund (GGF) Application Guidelines.

Only proposals that meet all the program’s requirements will be considered for funding.

Funding overview

• Total funding: $15 million over 3 fiscal years (2026 to 2027 to 2028 to 2029)
• Eligible projects: Single-year and multi-year projects
• Up to $5 million will be available in 2026 to 2027. Due to the limited time available within the fiscal year, and based on an assessment of project proposals, some funding may be reallocated to 2027 to 2028 and/or 2028 to 2029 if priority work cannot be adequately addressed in 2026 to 2027
• This call for proposals is for projects starting in the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year. Funding for projects beginning in future years will be reserved and offered through annual calls for proposals
• Typical Ghost Gear Fund support can be expected in the range of $50,000 to $500,000. The recommended maximum funding is $500,000 per year. Multi-year agreements are subject to the same annual recommended maximum (e.g. Year 1: up to $500,000, Year 2: up to $500,000, Year 3: up to $500,000)
• All funds must be spent by March 31 of the year in which they are allocated and cannot be carried forward. For multi-year projects, funding for each year will be outlined in the contribution agreement

The Government of Canada has introduced new policies to protect, build and transform Canadian industries through its Buy Canadian Policy. This policy is designed to help make Canada’s economy stronger, more resilient to global shocks, and better able to support Canadian workers and businesses. We encourage proponents to adopt the principles of the Buy Canadian Policy in their proposals for funding. 

Upon submission of a proposal, you will receive a project number from a program officer via email. This number must be included in the subject line of inquiries or communications with the department regarding your proposal. If your application is successful, this project number will remain the same for the duration of your project and must be referenced in all written communications and reports pertaining to the GGF.

Note: Submission of a proposal does not guarantee that funding will be provided.

Your project proposal must be submitted by email to DFO.GGFund-Fonddesef.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca no later than 23:59 Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) Monday, June 29, 2026, to be considered.

For questions related to the application process, please email the program at DFO.GGFund-Fonddesef.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Disclaimer: History of non-compliance with the Fisheries Act may be a consideration in evaluating the participant’s ability to meet the objective of the GGF and may restrict participation in the GGF.

Unless otherwise indicated, all fields are mandatory.

Key project information

1. Project title

2. GGF funding request

Consideration will only be given to projects beginning in the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year. These can be single or multi-year projects. Funds will be reserved for projects starting in later fiscal years to be allocated through future call for proposals.

GGF Funding Requested 2026 to 2027

Total (Canadian $):

Note: Funds allocated in 2026 to 2027 must be spent by March 31, 2027.

GGF Funding Requested 2027 to 2028

Total (Canadian $):

Note: Funds allocated in 2027 to 2028 must be spent by March 31, 2028.

GGF Funding Requested 2028 to 2029

Total (Canadian $):

Note: Funds allocated in 2028 to 2029 must be spent by March 31, 2029.

3. Contact information and organization

3.1 Applicant information

Please enter information about the applicant and primary contact name.

Institution/body/organization name/individual:

Organization type:

Mailing address:

Institution/body/organization website address:

Name of primary contact:

Title:

Phone number:

Email address:

Are all project participants in good standing¹ with all relevant acts and regulations (e.g. Fisheries Act, Species at Risk Act, Coastal Fisheries Protection Act, Oceans Act, or other related regulations)?²

• Yes
• No

¹ Defined as in compliance with federal and provincial legislation, policy, provincial regulations and have no significant fines, violations, debt, litigation in progress or recurring infractions that would impact a recipient’s assessed management capacity.

² Answering no to this question may result in the application being deemed ineligible.

3.2 Applicant’s organization description

Please provide a short description of your organization including its mandate(s) and objective(s) and select the scale at which your organization works. If you are an individual applying for funding, please provide a short description of your previous work relevant to your proposal and your request for support.

Scale:

• National
• Provincial/territorial
• Regional
• Local

Note: National is defined as engaging in more than one province.

3.3 Funding history

If the organization has previously received funding from one or more Government of Canada funding programs for a project or initiative, please complete the table below.

Name of program:

Name of project:

Fiscal(s) year(s) for which funding was received and the amount of funding for each year:

Name and email of the program contact:

4. Project team and partners

4.1 Team members

Provide details on the qualifications and relevant experience of your project team in order to demonstrate the group’s experience and capacity to deliver the proposed project. Please do not submit résumés.

Is this project woman-led?

• Yes
• No

Note: Women-led projects are not graded higher or given priority. This information is collected for data analysis purposes only.

Team member #1

Name and title:

Email:

Phone number:

Qualifications, relevant experience and description of roles and responsibilities:

Team member #2

Name and title:

Email:

Phone number:

Qualifications, relevant experience and description of roles and responsibilities:

Team member #3

Name and title:

Email:

Phone number:

Qualifications, relevant experience and description of roles and responsibilities:

4.2 Partnerships

In the event that projects are multi-partner – please include information on all partners, including each group’s role in the project. Letters of support for partners included in section 4.2 may be included but are not mandatory. For Indigenous partnerships, please refer to section 4.3.

Partner #1

Partner name:

Type of organization:

Partner’s relevant experience/expertise and role in the project:

Does the proposal include a letter of support from this partner?

• Yes (refer to section 14)
• No

Partner #2

Partner name:

Type of organization:

Partner’s relevant experience/expertise and role in the project:

Does the proposal include a letter of support from this partner?

• Yes (refer to section 14)
• No

Partner #3

Partner name:

Type of organization:

Partner’s relevant experience/expertise and role in the project:

Does the proposal include a letter of support from this partner?

• Yes (refer to section 14)
• No

4.3 Indigenous partnerships, engagement and participation

If the project involves Indigenous partners, engagement, participation and/or outreach– please include all relevant information below. Note that preference may be given to projects that include Indigenous partnerships and/or involvement.

1. Does your project involve Indigenous partner(s)?
   • Yes (if yes, please provide the names of all partners along with a description of their roles and responsibilities)
   • No

Note: If you answered “yes” above, please provide a statement/e-mail/letter of support from an official representative from your Indigenous partners (refer to section 14).

2. Does your project involve Indigenous groups, communities or harvesters?
   • Yes (if yes, please provide information on the extent of involvement, provide names of groups if applicable)
   • No

Note: Involvement can include participation in the project, engagement and outreach.

3. Does your project benefit or positively impact Indigenous community(s) and group(s)?
   • Yes (if yes, please provide the names of Indigenous groups and communities along with an explanation)
   • No
4. Will activities be conducted within a land claim area or Indigenous community?
   • Yes (if yes, please indicate if you have received support from the implicated group(s) and the locations)
   • No

5. If you have answered ‘yes’ to any of the questions above, please indicate the estimated total dollar amount attributed to all Indigenous partnerships, involvement and impact in the space provided.

5. Project locations

Please select the area(s) your work will take place in, and provide details on the specific area(s) (township, fishing area, port, county, etc.) in the box provided. Applicants can select multiple provinces, but their application must clearly detail how their work will impact each individual area.

6. Project overview

6.1 Project summary

Please provide a detailed description of the project, including the main goals and objectives. Please clearly describe the activities that you plan to undertake and how the project will contribute to the pillar(s) of focus and overall objective of the program.

6.2 Priority pillar(s) to be addressed

Please select the GGF pillar(s), which will be the area(s) of focus for your project.

Please note that you must clearly demonstrate in your proposal how your project will support the pillar(s). For example, it is not enough to state “all gear retrieved will be disposed of responsibly.” Proposals must demonstrate in detail how they will address the pillars. Project pillar sections lacking sufficient detail will not be assessed during the review process.

• Pillar 1: Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) retrieval
• Pillar 2: Responsible disposal (required if Pillar 1 is chosen)
• Pillar 3: Gear Acquisition and/or Development of Innovative Technologies

6.3 Project pillar details

Please respond to the following questions for each pillar of focus for your project. Only complete pillar sections that you will be directly addressing as part of your project as indicated in section 6.2.

6.3.1 Pillar 1: Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) retrieval

All funded participants are required to secure appropriate insurance for their activities, vessels and equipment, and ensure that vessels are appropriately registered. Any vessels being authorized for retrieval activities must be equipped to receive the targeted gear. DFO will not be held accountable for any damage or injury sustained while executing funded projects.

1. Will your project actively remove ALDFG from Canadian waters or shorelines?
   • Yes: (if yes, please complete section 6.3.1 and section 6.3.2)
   • No: (if no, please skip 6.3.1)

2. Do project participants (or a partner in the project) have experience in retrieving fishing gear?
   • Yes (if yes, please indicate the length of time and explain in space provided)
   • No

If yes, number of years of experience:

• <1 year
• 1 to 5 years
• 5 years and over

Please explain in 200 words or less:

3. If your project involves any vessel based activities, is anyone involved in this project an experienced harvester and/or have experience operating a vessel?
   • Yes (if yes, please indicate the length of time and explain in space provided)
   • No

If yes, number of years of experience:

• <1 year
• 1 to 5 years
• 5+ years

Please explain in 200 words or less:

4. Are you aware of the gear types frequently lost in the proposed area of work (or the type of gear that the retrieval efforts will target such as traps/pots, nets, rope etc.)?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

5. Have you engaged your relevant partners (e.g. harbour/port authorities, harvester associations, provincial, local municipality) regarding this project?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

6.3.2 Pillar 2: Responsible disposal (Required if Pillar 1 is chosen)

1. All retrieval projects require secure storage of usable, tagged gear, as well as a disposal plan for gear that does not meet this criteria. Please briefly describe your proposed plan for gear storage, as well as for the management of unusable and untagged gear (e.g. re-use, recycling, and/or disposal).

You may refer to annex A for a list of current harbour authorities participating in the Program that are prepared to provide secure storage. Additional harbour authorities may be added based on program needs.

Disposal plan description; 200 words or less:

2. Does your plan focus on recycling/re-use of end-of-life fishing gear and/or contribute to the diversion of waste from landfills?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

3. Have you engaged waste facilities/recycling facilities in the development of your proposal?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

4. Have you considered transportation and storage of ALDFG/end-of-life fishing gear as part of your proposal?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

5. Will your project focus on creating and/or using collection points or a network for ALDFG and end-of-life gear?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

6. Will your project build capacity and expertise in disposal and/or recycling of ALDFG or end-of-life fishing gear beyond the project’s duration?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

7. Will your project involve cost-recovery mechanism to ensure long-term viability?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

8. Will your project establish responsible disposal capacity in remote areas?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

6.3.3 Pillar 3: Gear acquisition and/or development of innovative technologies

1. Will your project involve (check all that apply):
   • Gear tracking technologies to prevent gear loss (e.g. smart buoys, cameras):
     • development of new technology
     • pilot of existing or new technology in a Canadian fishery
     • acquiring technology proven effective in your fishery for commercial use
   • Gear retrieval or mapping technologies to facilitate effective gear retrievals (e.g. grapnels, mapping software, side scan sonar):
     • development of new technology
     • pilot of existing or new technology in a Canadian fishery
     • acquiring technology proven effective in your fishery for retrievals
   • Technology or gear components mitigating the impacts of ALDFG (e.g. escape panels, biodegradable components, biodegradable gear tags):
     • development of new technology or gear components
     • pilot of existing or new technology or gear components in a Canadian fishery
     • acquiring technology or gear components proven effective in your fishery for commercial use
   • Gear marking options for improved identification and traceability (e.g. ID markings for nets and/or ropes, RFID tags, QR codes, gear branding):
     • type of gear
     • development of new methods or technology
     • pilot of new methods or technology in a Canadian fishery
   • None of the above (if none of the above, please describe the gear or innovative technology you would be developing, piloting or acquiring and explain the anticipated or potential benefits of the gear/technology in the space provided below)

If none of the above is chosen, please explain in 500 words or less:

2. For your project, please explain your activity and proposed methodology (e.g. fishery, gear type, number of participants, etc.).

Please explain in 200 words or less:

3. What are the expected outcomes of the activity (e.g. reduced occurrence or impact of ghost gear or ghost fishing, more effective gear retrieval)?

Please explain in 200 words or less:

4. Has the proposed gear or technology been tested in similar fisheries/environmental conditions as that proposed for your project?
   • Yes (if yes, please explain in space provided)
   • No (if no, please explain the anticipated or potential benefits of the gear/technology in the space provided)

Please explain in 200 words or less:

5. How will you assess, measure, and report the results and outcomes of the project to DFO?

Please explain in 200 words or less:

6. If known or applicable, is the gear/technology an economically viable option for the fishing industry?
   • Yes (if yes, please provide an estimated cost for the gear/technology per unit)
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

7. Is there demonstrated support from industry for the gear or technology?
   • Yes
   • No

Please explain in 200 words or less:

6.3.4 Buy Canadian Policy

If applicable, please describe how you will be integrating Canadian suppliers, materials, services, or content within your project in line with the Buy Canadian Policy.

Please explain in 500 words or less:

6.4 Project description

6.4.1 Project methodology

Please provide an overview of the methodology that will be used for the project. This includes describing the methods for each of the activities that you propose to undertake (e.g. work planning, ALDFG retrieval and disposal approach, assessment and monitoring of the project results, outreach and collaboration, communication techniques). For retrieval work, please include details on retrieval methodology, general timelines and areas of work. Please note that most in-water retrieval activities will only be authorized outside of active fishing seasons.

Maximum 750 words:

6.4.2 Outcome description (anticipated benefits to priority pillar(s))

Please identify and describe how the priority pillar(s) will benefit from your project.

Maximum 500 words:

7. Permits and permissions

Please identify any permits, permissions (e.g. to access land), and/or letters of authorization that may be required (outside of DFO permits) in order for your project to proceed and indicate their status. Please note that a section 52 permit is required for in-water retrieval activities (which includes the transportation of ALDFG over water), and applicants will need to submit a license request upon the approval of their project.

Maximum 500 words:

8. Performance measures

Identify your project’s expected benefits in the tables below. Please answer all that apply.

8.1. Anticipated project performance measures

All projects

Performance measure:

• Number of people trained in ALDFG best practices, or in the use of new technologies
• Number of partners engaged and involved in the project
• Number of jobs created and/or directly supported (e.g. project team members, contractors, harvesters, vessel crew)

Pillar 1

Performance measure:

• Number of vessel hours³ spent on the water surveying, mapping, or retrieving ALDFG
• Number of retrieval days (per vessel)
• Number of mapping or surveying days (per vessel)
• (For shoreline retrievals) Number of km of shoreline cleared of ALDFG
• Approximate weight of retrieved ALDFG from water or shorelines (excluding rope)
• Approximate length (in feet, fathoms or meters) of retrieved rope from water or shorelines. Please specify the unit used

Pillar 2

Performance measure:

• Approximate number of units of end-of-life gear disposed of responsibly (excluding rope)
• Approximate length (in feet, fathoms or meters) of end-of-life rope disposed of responsibly. Please specify unit used.
• Number of ALDFG and/or end-of-life collection sites established. Please list each site.
• Number of existing ALDFG and/or end-of-life collection sites used. Please list each site.
• Number of remote areas with new responsible ALDFG and/or end-of-life disposal capacity established. Please list each area.

Pillar 3

Performance measure

• Gear tracking technologies: identify each gear tracking technology developed, piloted and/or acquired and the number of units per technology type (e.g. smart buoys, cameras)
• Gear retrieval or mapping technologies: identify each gear retrieval or mapping technology developed, piloted and/or acquired and the number of units per technology type (e.g. grapnels, mapping software, side scan sonar).
• Technology or gear components mitigating impacts of ALDFG
• Identify each gear component or technology developed, piloted and/or acquired to mitigate the impacts of ALDFG and the number of units per technology or component type (e.g. escape panels, biodegradable components, biodegradable gear tags)
• Gear-marking options for improved identification and traceability: identify each gear marking option developed or piloted to improve identification and traceability and the number of units per gear marking type (e.g. ID markings for nets and/or ropes, RFID tags, QR codes, gear branding)

³ Vessel hours = sum of all hours spent on each vessel

9. Ongoing actions

If applicable, describe how your project will continue actions beyond your project’s timeframe (i.e., beyond the duration of the GGF). Please describe the actions as well as any governance structures or measures that are proposed.

Maximum 500 words:

10. Work plan

Only activities funded wholly or partly by the GGF should be described in this section.

Copy/Paste the table (a to g) for additional activities to be included in each fiscal year.

For multi-year projects, use sections from 10.1 to 10.3, as applicable.

10.1 Annual work plan for proposed GGF and activities for 2026 to 2027

Activity #1

• Name:
• Amount requested from the GGF to support the activity:
• Location (if applicable):
• Start and end dates:
• General description of the activity:
• Tasks:
• Deliverables:

Activity #2

• Name:
• Amount requested from the GGF to support the activity:
• Location (if applicable):
• Start and end dates:
• General description of the activity:
• Tasks:
• Deliverables:

10.2 Annual work plan for proposed GGF and activities for 2027 to 2028

Activity #1

• Name:
• Amount requested from the GGF to support the activity:
• Location (if applicable):
• Start and end dates:
• General description of the activity:
• Tasks:
• Deliverables:

Activity #2

• Name:
• Amount requested from the GGF to support the activity:
• Location (if applicable):
• Start and end dates:
• General description of the activity:
• Tasks:
• Deliverables:

10.3 Annual work plan for proposed GGF and activities for 2028 to 2029

Activity #1

• Name:
• Amount requested from the GGF to support the activity:
• Location (if applicable):
• Start and end dates:
• General description of the activity:
• Tasks:
• Deliverables:

Activity #2

• Name:
• Amount requested from the GGF to support the activity:
• Location (if applicable):
• Start and end dates:
• General description of the activity:
• Tasks:
• Deliverables:

11. Ghost Gear Fund expenditures

Provide a description and associated amount for the project expenses. Budget items included in this section must be limited to those funded wholly or partially by the GGF.

11.1 Ghost Gear Fund budget

Please note that any GST/HST eligible for a tax refund should be excluded from GGF expenditures. Please include GST/HST that is not refunded directly toward the cost of the expense.

If selecting the “Salaries, wages, and other labour expenses including benefits and insurance” category, please list the hourly rate for each employee who will be part of the project as part of the information provided in the expense description.

Note: The total annual amount requested from the GGF must equal the total cost to the GGF for all activities in sections 10.1 to 10.3.

12. Other sources of project support/stacking

12.1 Sources of support

Please list all partners contributing to the proposed project (i.e. cash, or in-kind) in the table below, including a short description of how the funding will be used and the amounts associated to each source. Should your project be approved, please note that a letter confirming cash or in-kind support from partners may be requested.

13. Broader Government of Canada initiatives

Are you aware of any broader Government of Canada initiatives that might be supported by your project?

• Species at Risk
• Zero Plastic Waste Initiative
• Circular Economy
• A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature
• Other

Please briefly explain how your project supports the initiatives you have selected above (500 words or less):

14. Supporting documents

Submit any supporting documents (e.g. letters of support, maps.) with the application. List the supporting documents:

• File name of supporting document:
• Description of supporting document:

15. Confirmation

I confirm that this application has been completed honestly and to the best of my knowledge.

• Completed by name and date:
• Email of applicant:
• Signature:

Annex A

Harbour authorities currently participating in the Ghost Gear Program

Note: New harbour authorities may be added depending on where retrievals take place.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Petty Harbour
13 Southside Road, Petty Harbour NL
A0A 3HO

Placentia Area (Jerseyside)
P.O. Box 194, Jerseyside, NL
A0B 2G0

Garnish
P.O. Box 99, Garnish NL
A0E 1T0

Fogo Island
Box 8 Site 5, Joe Batt’s Arm, NL
A0G 2X0

Twillingate
PO Box 654, Twillingate, NL
A0G 4M0

Harbour Breton
PO Box 591, Harbour Breton, NL
A0H 1P0

Seal Cove, Connaigre Bay
P.O. Box 100, Seal Cove, NL
A0H 2G0

Burnt Islands
P.O. Box 287, Burnt Islands, NL
A0M 1B0

Nova Scotia

North Victoria Six Ports Harbour Authority
P.O. Box 21; Neils Hbr., NS
B0C 1N0

Margaree
General Delivery, Belle Cote, Inverness County, NS
B0E 1C0

Cheticamp
P.O. Box 178, Cheticamp, NS
B0E 1H0

Petit-de-Grat
P.O. Box 310, Petit-de-Grat, NS
B0E 2L0

Canso
P.O. Box 207, Canso, NS
B0H 1H0

Lunenburg
P.O. Box 1649, Lunenburg NS
B0J 2C0

Victoria Beach (Batterie)
2915 Granville Rd, Karsdale, NS
B0S 1A0

Lower Sandy Point
P.O. Box 907, Shelburne, NS
B0T 1W0

Digby Neck Harbour Authority (Sandy Cove East Harbour)
General Delivery, Little River, NS
B0V 1C0

Dennis Point
P.O. Box 261, Lower West Pubnico, NS
B0W 2C0

Glace Bay (cape breton)
P.O. Box 556, Glace Bay, NS
B1A 6G4

Ballantyne’s Cove
PO Box 1063, Ballantynes Cove, NS
B2G 2S3

Prince Edward Island

Annandale
3970 Annandale Rd, Cardigan, PEI
C0A 1G0

Nine Mile Creek
PO Box 614, Cornwall, PEI
C0A 1H0

Milligans
Shore 388 Conway Rd., RR#2, Ellerslie, PEI
C0B 1J0

Malpeque
382 King Street, Kensington, PEI
C0B 1M0

New Brunswick

Richibucto
9361 Main Street, Richibucto, NB
E4W 4B6

Cap-Lumière
P.O. Box 533, Richibucto-Village, NB
E4W 5N5

Blacks and Beaver Harbour
PO Box 1541, Beaver Harbour, NB
E5H 1R1

Shippagan
83, 15e Rue, Shippagan, NB
E8S 1E2

Quebec

Rivière-au-Renard
1, de la rue Langevin, Rivière-au-Renard, QC
G4X 5G4

L'Anse à Brillant
7, rue Briand, Douglastown, QC
G4X 2Z5

Paspébiac
78, avenue du Quai, Paspébiac, QC
G0C 2K0

Cap-aux-Meules
541 chemin Gros Cap, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
G0B 1E0

Pointe-Basse
C.P. 2226 Havre-à-Maison, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
G4T 5P4

Grande-Entrée
214 route 199, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
G4T 7A4

Grosse-Île
5-006, chemin Jerry, Grosse-Île, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
G4T 6B9

Étang-du-Nord
C.P. 5167, Étang-du-Nord, Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC
G4T 3Z8

Newport
C.P. 26, Newport, QC
G0C 2A0

British Columbia

Port Edward
PO Box 1820, Pert Edward, BC
V0V 1G0

Ucluet
PO Box 999, 200 Main st, Ucluelet, BC
V0R 3A0

Tsehum
10441 Resthaven Drive, Sidney, BC
V8L 3H6

Kanaka Landing
23250 McKay Avenue, Maple Ridge, BC
V2W 1B9

Mission
33428 Harbour Avenue, Mission, BC
V2V 2W4

Port Hardy
6600 Hardy Bay Road, PO Box 68, Port Hardy, BC
V0N 2P0