Prevention

Prevention of ghost gear

Prevention of ghost gear is about doing things right before the gear is lost. This is not a new principle – coastal fishermen have been careful with marking, anchoring, and placement of gear for generations. The difference today is that the gear lasts much longer, and mistakes have greater consequences.

Good, traditional measures

• Solid marking with clear owner information
• Correct rope and dimension adapted to weather, current, and depth
• Good placement – avoid busy routes and exposed current zones
• Regular inspections and short lying time where conditions are challenging

This is the foundation of responsible fishing, as it has always been done.

Limitations of old solutions

Rotting line and cotton as an emergency exit have long been standard. It can work, but:

• Decomposition is unpredictable
• The process often takes a long time
• Cold water significantly slows down the effect

In practice, this means that many traps can cause significant damage before they stop fishing.

Prevention with modern tools

Newer solutions build on traditional fishing but provide an extra level of safety:

• Mechanisms that automatically release the buoy if the trap is not retrieved
• Systems that make it possible to locate equipment after bad weather
• Measures that reduce the need for active cleanup afterwards

The goal is not to change fishing but to ensure that the equipment can always be found.

The most effective solution

The best way to stop ghost gear is simple: Traps must not be left on the bottom without the possibility of retrieval.

When prevention is in place:

• Reduces loss of gear
• The catch base is preserved
• The burden on the environment is minimized

Prevention is common sense – and completely in line with how coastal fishing has always been intended to function. TrapSaver™ contributes to prevention against ghost gear.