Reducing ghost fishing from lost crab pots in Indonesia
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This fact sheet summarizes key findings from blue-swimming crab pot modification trials in Indonesia to reduce ghost fishing. Biodegradable twines were tested to replace synthetic (polyethylene) material to secure the entrance panels of the crab pots. Cotton twines were determined to be the best choice of biodegradable material. If the pots are abandoned, lost, or discarded to the marine environment, the cotton twine will degrade and break after approximately five to nine months, providing an escape opening in the pot for any entrapped animals and reducing ghost fishing.Field trials were undertaken in collaboration with local fishers to test the performance of the modified pots compared to the conventional pots. No significant differences were observed in quantities of the targeted crab, or quantities of total catch, between the modified and conventional pots. Similar crab size, sex and carapace width-to-weight ratios were also observed between the modified and conventional pots. Following the gear modifications, a national workshop was held to disseminate results from the gear modification trials, which included training local fishers on how to incorporate the modifications into their own pots, and sharing information about the possibility of the gear modifications to reduce ghost fishing with representatives from national fisheries management authorities and civil society. The QR codes in the bottom left corner of the fact sheets link to detailed publications on the results of testing of different biodegradable materials for the pots, as well as the fishing trials to test the modified pot performance, including methodologies and lessons learned.