Towards sustainable fisheries: addressing abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear in Kenya’s coastal waters

Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) and End-of-Life Fishing Gear (EoLFG) comprise a significant part of global marine plastic pollution, with adverse consequences for fishers, the seafood industry and marine wildlife and habitats. To effectively prevent and reduce ALDFG at source, an understanding of the extent and major causes of fishing gear loss along the Kenya coast is required. We interviewed 439 fishers representing five key fishing gear types (gillnets, hooks and lines, seine nets, surrounding nets and traps) to know why and under what circumstances they lose their gear.

Environmental forces and poor weather were the most common causes of gear loss, with gillnets and traps particularly vulnerable to snagging, displacement and strong currents. Seasonal peaks in gear loss were observed during the June and July monsoon, during rough seas and strong currents. Operational factors such as equipment failure, operator error and improper storage also contributed substantially, while conflicts with other fishers and vessel traffic were reported as additional drivers. In addition, the following were observed: low rates of retrieval and return of lost gear (70%), a lack of structured management systems and the absence of an established market for stored gear. Disposal practices remain informal, with repurposing (57%), burning (31.4%), storing (14.3%), selling (10.4%) and beach dumping (11.6%) being the most common methods.

Actions available to reduce ALDFG include strengthening gear maintenance and crew training, improving access to forecasts and site selection, expanding gear-marking and reporting requirements, and establishing community-based recovery and recycling programs. There is an urgent need for clear gear reporting guidelines, structured end-of-life management systems and awareness programs integrated into county government frameworks. Therefore, addressing ALDFG and EoLFG is critical to advancing sustainable fisheries, protecting marine biodiversity and safeguarding livelihoods in Kenya’s Blue Economy.