This publication gives an updated review of the quantity of discards in the world's marine fisheries, using information from a broad range of fisheries in all continents. A number of policy issues are discussed including a 'no discards' approach to fisheries management, the need for balance between bycatch reduction and bycatch utilisation initiatives, and concerns arising from incidental catches of marine mammals, birds and reptiles. The report also highlights the need for more robust methods of estimating discards, and the development of bycatch management plans.

The growing quantity of plastic waste in the marine environment including abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a global problem. A particular feature of ALDFG is the potential of some gears to carry on fishing for many months or even years. The study examines legal responses to ALDFG in the context of marine fisheries. After discussing the nature of the problem of ALDFG and some of the reasons why fishing gear is abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded, the study examines the response of the international community to ALDFG. A key finding is that ALDFG is at the same time, a fishing issue, a navigation problem (of vessel source pollution) and an environmental problem with the resulting involvement of FAO, IMO and UNEP as well as the UN General Assembly. After examining potential legal approaches to the problem, the study then describes the basic legal and institutional arrangements in four case study jurisdictions that have adopted legal measures to address ALDFG, namely Australia, the European Union and its Member States, Norway and the USA finding once again the tripartite responsibility of fisheries, navigation and environment ministries/agencies. The inter-sectoral nature of ALDFG suggests the need for a collaborative and coordinated approach. While not all of the case study jurisdictions make use of all ten of the individual legal measures identified, the case studies also clearly show that ALDFG is a problem that is susceptible to a legal response at the national or regional level including through the use of extended producer responsibility schemes, various reporting requirements and gear standards. Legal tools to address the problem of ALDFG clearly exist. The extent to which some, or all, of them are necessary or appropriate in a given context at national, regional or global level is not ultimately a legal question but a political one.

This policy document provides fishermen, companies, and other interested Canadians with a clear, consistent statement of Fisheries and Oceans policy respecting the registration of commercial fishermen and vessels, and the issuance of fishing licences to persons in Eastern Canada. The policy document also provides objectives against which the approriateness and effectiveness of specific policy measures can be evaluated. The document covers the legislative background and licensing objectives; the general policy framework; vessel replacement rules for vessels less than 19.8m (65') length; appeal process and procedures; amendment procedures; and terminology used.

Drawing on a number of case studies from around the world, this publication considers how the local knowledge and practices of indigenous fishing communities are being used in collaboration with scientists, government managers and non-governmental organisations to establish effective frameworks for sustainable fisheries science and management. It seeks to contribute towards achieving the goal of establishing international responsibility for the ethical collection, preservation, dissemination and application of fishers' knowledge.