The Great Aussie Crab Pot Review is a national initiative aimed at tackling the issue of lost and abandoned recreational crab pots in Australian waterways.
As part of this effort, we conducted a national survey, receiving 319 responses from recreational fishers across the country. This survey provided valuable data on where lost pots accumulate, the key reasons they are lost, and potential solutions. The findings highlighted tidal movements, theft, poor gear design, and lack of enforcement as the most common causes, with urban east coast waterways emerging as primary hotspots.
Recognizing that these challenges require industry-wide collaboration, we have been engaging with key stakeholders to explore practical ways to reduce pot loss. In our recent Recreational Fishers Roundtable, fishers from across Australia shared their real-world experiences, validating the survey findings. The discussion identified weighted pots and ropes, community-led clean-ups, and QR codes on gear for better education as the most promising solutions for uptake within the recreational fishing community. A particularly interesting discussion explored international models where designated fishing zones temporarily close to allow coordinated pot retrieval and how this concept might be adapted in Australia. While potential disruptions were acknowledged, the group agreed that this approach could help navigate current policy barriers to large-scale cleanup efforts. These insights will shape the upcoming Industry Roundtable with manufacturers and retailers, ensuring solutions are practical and widely supported.
A full report, incorporating both fisher and industry perspectives, will be shared with policymakers later this month to drive meaningful change in reducing ghost fishing gear in Australian waters. This project is an initiative by OceanEarth Foundation, in partnership with OzFish Unlimited. This Ghost Nets Innovative Solutions project received grant funding from the Australian Government.