Rate and causes of lost gillnets in the Pangandaran Waters of Indonesia

Abstract Ghost gear is one part of marine debris interpreted as abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear in the waters. A gillnet is the fishing gear with the greatest potential to cause ghost gear. Most fishers at Cikidang Fish Landing Base (PPI) Pangandaran use gillnets (80%), which have a high potential to become ghost gear. Data and information related to ghost gear in Pangandaran are still minimal. The study aims to estimate the number of lost gillnets and identify the causal factors at PPI Cikidang. The number of lost gillnets was investigated using a questionnaire to the fishermen. The results showed that the number of lost gillnets from 2015-2019 experienced a trend fluctuating. The average number of lost gillnets during 2015-2019 was estimated at 4,612 pieces or 224,584 m with 7,740 kg. The main factors causing the loss of gillnets in Pangandaran waters were water current, 37%, snagged 32%, conflict, 25%, and discarded 6%. Efforts to reduce lost gear include socialization regarding lost gear to fishers, gear marking, and the use of technology to minimize lost gear by using the Global Positioning System (GPS) and line haulers.