Economic Assessment of Removal of Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) From Northeastern Mediterranean Sea
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61326/actanatsci.v6i2.427Keywords:
Balloon method, Economic assessment, Ghost fishing, İskenderun Bay, Marine debrisAbstract
Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) poses a persistent threat to marine biodiversity and fisheries economies. İskenderun Bay in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea, an ecologically productive and fishing-intensive region, has been increasingly affected by ghost fishing caused by ALDFG. This study aimed to (1) assess the ecological and economic impacts of ghost fishing, (2) document and retrieve ALDFG using minimally invasive methods, and (3) evaluate the cost-effectiveness of gear removal operations. Between May 2014 and April 2015, ghost nets were located and retrieved in İskenderun Bay using a combination of fishers’ interviews, SCUBA, ROVs, and surface-supplied diving. Three key sites were selected for retrieval operations using a balloon lifting method. Seabed types were categorized into four habitat classes based on depth and substrate composition. In total, 565 kg of derelict fishing gear, including purse-seine and trammel nets, was successfully recovered from the survey area. Reusable and recyclable materials amounted to $5,097.72 in theoretical income, resulting in a net economic loss of $18,510. Elongation nets, especially those lost in rocky coastal areas, posed the highest environmental risk due to their persistent ghost fishing activity. This study represents the first large-scale ALDFG retrieval and economic assessment in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. The findings emphasize the need for systematic ALDFG monitoring, biodegradable gear use, and community-based education. Balloon-assisted lifting proved to be an effective and ecologically responsible retrieval technique. Establishing reporting mechanisms and policy frameworks is vital for mitigating ghost fishing impacts in Türkiye and similar coastal regions.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Yavuz MAZLUM, Mehmet Fatih CAN, Ayşe Bahar BAHADIRLI, Aydın DEMİRCİ, Mevlüt GÜRLEK, Emrah ŞİMŞEK, Menderes ŞEREFLİŞAN, Necdet UYGUR
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