The long-term in-situ study simulate the effects of ghost fishing caused by conventional gillnets and fish traps. The objective is to assess the impact of Abandoned, Lost, and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) on ecosystems in the northern Adriatic Sea by determining the abundance/biomass captured per unit mass of static gear (gillnets and fish traps). The research is conducted in the Valun Bay, Medulin, Istria, Croatia. Two identical gillnets and six fish traps deployed at depths ranging from 12 to 28 meters are monitored using scuba diving gear multiple times per month. The study is a part of Dorian Vodopia`s PhD, and is conducted in cooperation with the Research Areas five and three in SFI Dsolve, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, and the University of Split in Croatia.
The study will lay the foundation for upcoming research initiatives, encompassing multiple locations and specifications of nets and traps. The ghost fishing impacts between traditional gear and biodegradable alternatives will be compared, contributing to the integration of the effects of ghost fishing on marine ecosystems within Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and promoting the adoption of biodegradable fishing gear.
AS part of the project, study results were recently shared in a seminar for graduate students enrolled in the Marine Fishery study program at the Faculty of Maritime Studies at the University of Split at the 21th of March.
