Removal of Abandoned Fishing Gear
What is ghost fishing?
Ghost fishing, caused by abandoned or discarded fishing gear, is a silent and deadly threat to marine life. This gear continues to trap fish, sea turtles, sharks, marine mammals, and other species—even years after being abandoned.
The project aims to prevent, identify, and remove this gear from our seas, protecting ecosystems and ensuring the sustainability of fisheries.
What does COBI do?
Since 2009, COBI has worked to reduce and eliminate the impacts of ghost fishing in Mexico through two main lines of action:
1. Prevention and awareness: We provide workshops and training programs for fishing and coastal communities on the impacts of ghost fishing, promoting responsible and sustainable practices.
2. Recovery and removal: We train people in safe techniques to locate and remove abandoned fishing gear, following official protocols and using specialized equipment.
Thanks to this work, we have participated in more than 50 search and recovery campaigns, removing over 5 tons of fishing gear from the ocean and collaborating with 15 community groups in the Mexican Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Gulf of California.
Who participates?
This effort is made possible thanks to the collaboration of:
1. Fishing communities such as Sirenas de Natividad, Grupo Comunitario Bahía de los Ángeles, Héroes del Mar, the Submarine Monitoring Group of the Eastern Coast of Yucatán, community divers of Cabo Pulmo, and Buzo Monitoreo y Conservación Bahía de Kino.
2. Cooperative societies such as SCPP Buzos y Pescadores de Baja California, SCPP Emancipación, and SCPP Punta Abreojos.
3. Organizations including WWF, GGGI, Conservation International Mexico, and Aqua Ghost Busters.
4. Government authorities and CONANP.
5. Women, youth, and local leaders committed to marine protection.
