Deadline: 6-Jun-22
The Government of Canada is seeking applications for its Ghost Gear Fund 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.
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 the oceans and the use of plastics in government operations, and to reduce the occurrence and effects of ghost gear around the world.
Program Pillars
- Approved projects will be funded based on activities under the following four pillars:
- Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) retrieval;
- Responsible disposal;
- Acquisition and piloting of currently available innovative technologies; and
- International leadership
Note: ALDFG retrieval programs are required to take place outside of active fishing seasons.
Funding Information
- Ghost Gear Fund contributions can be expected in the range of $50,000 to $1 million.
- Recipients selected for funding must complete their project by March 31, 2023.
Eligibility Criteria
- 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;
- 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.
- Indigenous organizations/communities include:
- First Nations/ Inuit/ Métis;
- Bands/Settlements (land, reserves, trusts);
- Indigenous governments referred to in self-government or modern treaty;
- Indigenous communities or groups;
- District Councils/Chiefs’ Councils/ Tribal Councils;
- Organizations/ Societies/ Associations/ Institutions that are Indigenous led and/or serve an Indigenous population); and,
- Corporations (major shareholder is Indigenous).
For more information, visit https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fisheries-peches/management-gestion/ghostgear-equipementfantome/program-programme/index-eng.html#_Toc74050648