Lost or discarded fishing gear that is no longer under a fisher’s control is called ghost gear. Ghost gear causes several problems in the marine environment: It entangles and kills sea life and can damage habitat. In California, scientists, fishermen, regulators, and innovators are teaming up to implement an innovative recovery and recycling program to reduce the loss of fishing gear and collect ghost gear to reduce impacts on marine life and ocean ecosystems. The Aquarium’s Seafood for the Future program will lead a discussion with a panel of experts who are part of this collaborative effort.

Featured Panelists:

• Dick Ogg, fisherman, Bodega Bay, California
• Kirsten Gilardi, scientist, Co-Director Wildlife Health Center at UC Davis
• Kurt Lieber, president, Ocean Defenders Alliance
• David Stover, CEO and Co-Founder, Bureo Inc.
• Moderated by Kimberly Thompson, Director of Seafood for the Future, Aquarium of the Pacific