Environmental impacts of lost fishing gear

Chemical and biological pollution loads in lost fishing gear (mainly composed of plastics) have not yet been sufficiently explored and are essential for obtaining a better understanding of the ecological implications of fishing-related debris. NetTag project, in the framework of WP4, aims to assess the environmental harmfulness of lost fishing gears as a new pollutant. For that, in this present project report, in situ monitoring of chemical (metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and microplastics) and microbiological (pathogens) contaminants in lost gear hotspots was carried out.

Partner(s): CIIMAR