The International Conference on Ghost Gear 2023

First International Conference on Ghost Gear gathered participants from around the world to Arendal, Norway

Marine plastic pollution has received a lot of attention in recent years. Disturbing pictures of the impacts of ghost gear have been published in numerous media outlets, which has brought these grim realities into the awareness of the general public and decision makers as well. The scientific community has been vocal as well, but it has taken a long time to organise the first international conference on this very topic. Finally, in November 2023 this day presented itself, and CIRCNETS project was on the spot as well.

Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and Directorate of Fisheries were the organisers of the event, which brought together researchers, specialists in ghost gear removal, gear producers among others to Arendal, in Southern Norway. Different aspects related to ghost gear were on the agenda with topics ranging on the first day from the phenomena itself to technology and gear removal. On the second conference day the focus was on Awareness and prevention & technology and recycling. CIRCNETS partners from University of Oulu and Sotenäs Municipality attended the event and a short presentation about CIRCNETS was given by Niko Hänninen from University of Oulu. The event provided a useful platform to network with other specialists working with same issue and promoting CIRCNETS project.

The full programme is available at the conference homepage.