In the coastal villages of Western Province in Papua New Guinea, fishing is part of daily life. Small boats head out regularly, setting nets or traps in nearby waters. But not every trip ends with all gear returning. Some nets are lost. Some traps disappear. Over time, these losses add up, both for fishers and for the marine environment.
To better understand how this happens in practice, the ATSEA Program supported a field assessment across Daru and 14 Forecoast villages in Western Province. Many of these communities are located near the Torres Strait, where traditional fishing and cross-border movement are part of everyday life. The assessment, conducted from 19 November to 1 December 2025, combined semi-structured interviews with fishers and direct observations of fishing practices. It focused on everyday fishing activities, looking at how gear is used, how it is lost, and what can be done to reduce it.
The findings show that fisheries in the area are largely small-scale. Fishers operate vessels under 12 meters and rely mainly on gillnets and traps. These gears are used frequently, with some nets left in the water for a full day and traps sometimes deployed even longer.
With this level of use, gear loss becomes part of the reality of fishing. In many cases, fishers reported losing parts of their nets during operations, while traps are often lost entirely.
When asked why this happens, fishers pointed to conditions they face at sea. Strong currents and changing weather were identified as the main drivers, making it difficult to retrieve gear once it is deployed. These are not isolated incidents, but part of the everyday challenges of working in coastal and nearshore environments.
Gear loss also has direct impacts on livelihoods. Even losing a few net pieces can affect income, especially for small scale fishers who depend on their equipment for daily catch. Over time, these losses can become a significant burden.
At the same time, fishers are already thinking about solutions. Many highlighted practical ways to reduce gear loss, including using more durable materials, improving skills in handling gear, and having better access to weather information. Others pointed to the potential of gear marking and tracking, as well as systems that encourage the return and proper management of damaged or unwanted gear.
These insights are important because they reflect what is happening on the ground. Addressing ghost gear is not only about technical solutions, but also about understanding the conditions fishers face and working with them to find approaches that are realistic and effective.
Through its work on Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), ATSEA continues to connect regional priorities with local realities. The findings from Daru and the Forecoast villages will contribute to the development of the Regional Action Plan on ALDFG, helping ensure that future actions are informed by both science and community perspectives.
Reducing ghost gear will take time and coordination across different levels. In places like Western Province, that process is already being shaped by the people who experience the issue every day.
By Yulia Dewi