Capture Fishing Survey (English)

Causes of Commercial Fishing Gear Loss in Canada

Department of Fisheries and Oceans is conducting research to better understand the impacts of abandoned, lost, otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) on commercial fish stocks and the environment. DFO has developed an anonymous survey to better understand the types of fishing gear commonly lost, the causes of loss, and the practices used to avoid loss. There is no personal information collected in the survey. It should take about 20 minutes to complete. Thank you for completing this survey. Version française: https://form.jotform.com/252674381565162
A. Harvester Information
1. How many years of commercial fishing experience do you have?
Commerical licence holderFishing association representativeVessel operatorHired skipper/crewOther
PacificAtlanticArctic
Groundfish, Halibut (Longline)Groundfish, Sablefish (Longline)Groundfish, Sablefish (Pot)Groundfish, Groundfish (other) (Longline)Groundfish, Groundfish (other) (Hook and line)Groundfish, Groundfish (other) (Pot)Groundfish, Groundfish (other) (Bottom Trawl)Shrimp (Pot)Dungeness Crab (Pot)Herring (Purse Seine)Herring (Gillnet)Salmon (Purse Seine)Salmon (Gillnet)Salmon (Troll)Tuna (Troll)Urchin, Cucumber (Dive)
Whelk (Pot)Rock Crab (Pot)Capelin (Trap net)Capelin (Purse seine)Mackerel (Trap net)Mackerel (Purse seine)Mackerel (Gillnet)Mackerel (Weir)Mackerel (Jigger)Mackerel (Handline)Herring (Trap net)Herring (Purse seine)Herring (Gillnet)Scallop (Dredge/Trawl)Groundfish (Longline)Groundfish (Gillnet)Groundfish (Trawl)Groundfish (Handline)Shrimp (Trawl)Shrimp (Pot)Snow Crab (Pot)Lobster (Pot)Swordfish (primary), tuna, shark (Harpoon/Spear)Hagfish (Trap/barrel)Elver (Trap)Clam (Dredge)Urchins, Cucumber (Dive)
Groundfish (Trawl)Groundfish (Longline)Groundfish (Gillnet)Shrimp (Trawl)Arctic Char (Gillnet)Dolly Varden (Gillnet)Beluga, Narwal (Projectile)
5. If you would like to elaborate on the fishery you fish in, please do so here:
6. From which landing site (port/town/city, province) does your vessel usually work?
7. What fishing area(s) do you work in?
B. Fishing Gear Used

These questions ask about the types of fishing gear you use
Pots/Traps individualPots/Traps on a lineGillnetsSeine netsLonglineTroll gearOther hook-and-line (not longline or troll gear)Bottom TrawlMidwater TrawlWeirs or trap netsDredgeOther
9. If you selected "other", what other type of gear is used?

10. If you fish using nets, describe the average dimensions (width and length) of the nets in meters by fishing area.

Rows	Fishing Area	Target species	Net Type	Average net width (m)	Average net length (m)
1
2
3
4

C. Amount of Lost and Retrieved Fishing Gear

These questions ask about how much fishing gear is lost per year

11. How many individual gear items are lost per year? Use an average of your gear loss over the last 5 years. Include all items lost, even you retrieved it later. Subsequent questions will ask about retrieval.

Rows	Number of loss events per year	Number of gear units lost per year	Length of gear lost per year in meters (lines or nets only)
Pots/ Traps individual
Pots/ Traps on a line
Gillnets
Seine nets
Longline
Troll gear
Other hook-and-line (not longline or troll gear)
Bottom trawl
Midwater trawl
Weirs or trap nets
Dredge
Other

12. If you would like to elaborate on the amounts/ types of gear which are lost, please do so here:

13. How many gear items which were lost did you subsequently retrieve?

Rows	Number of gear units retrieved per year	Length of gear retrieved per year in meters (lines or nets only)
Pots/ Traps individual
Pots/ Traps on a line
Gillnets
Seine nets
Longline
Troll gear
Other hook-and-line (not longline or troll gear)
Bottom trawl
Midwater trawl
Weirs or trap nets
Dredge
Other

14. If you would like to elaborate on the amount/ types of gear which are retrieved, please do so here:
D. Causes and Strategies to Prevent Gear Loss

These questions ask about why gear is lost, and what strategies are used to prevent loss.
You indicated you fish in the following fisheries:

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Please complete the next section (questions 15-19) for each of these fisheries, up to four fisheries. If you participate in more than four fisheries (in the order listed above), only answer for the four fisheries you spend the most fishing effort in.

15-1. When gear is lost, what are the most frequent causes of loss? Answer each line by selecting one of the five possible responses provided.

Rows	Frequent cause of loss	Occasional cause of loss	Never a cause of loss	Unknown	Not applicable
Gear snagged on bottom obstruction, such as reef, rocky area or shipwreck
Extreme weather conditions
Sea ice
Strong currents/ tide
Water depth variability
Faulty, old or damaged gear
Equipment failure (e.g., hauler or location equipment)
Operator error/ inexperience
Gear not properly secured on-board
Gear not properly secured on dock/shore
Suspected theft or vandalism
Conflict with active fishing gear (e.g., crossing lines with other gear, entanglement)
Conflict with derelict fishing gear (ALDFG) or marine debris
Conflict with non-fishing vessels
Conflict with other fishing vessels
Conflict with other industries (e.g., aquaculture, logging)
Damaged or towed away by hooked fish
Conflict with other animals (e.g., sea lions, whales)
Lack of disposal options (gear intentionally discarded overboard)
Other

16-1. If you selected "other", what are other causes of loss and how frequently do they occur?
17-1. If you would like to elaborate on any of the causes of loss selected, please do so here:

18-1. What practices do you use to avoid gear loss or damage? Answer each line by selecting one the five possible responses provided.

Rows	Regular practice	Occasional practice	Not used	Dont know	Not applicable
Avoid setting the fishing gear in areas known for snagging
Avoid crowded fishing areas
Cooperate with other harvesters
Avoid areas of high vessel traffic/shipping lanes
Communicate with nearby fishing vessels
Avoid fishing in extreme weather conditions
Avoid areas with strong currents
Make sure all equipment (e.g. such as pot haulers or navigation) used with fishing gear is in good condition
Training on proper fishing techniques
Know fishing depth and rig accordingly
Securely stow fishing gear on board
Securely stow fishing gear on dock/shore
Repair or replace worn fishing gear or parts
Implement measures to avoid theft or vandalism of gear
Use appropriate waste fishing gear disposal containers

19-1. If you selected "other", what practices do you use and at what frequency (regular, occasional)?

15-2. When gear is lost, what are the most frequent causes of loss? Answer each line by selecting one of the five possible responses provided.

Rows	Frequent cause of loss	Occasional cause of loss	Never a cause of loss	Unknown	Not applicable
Gear snagged on bottom obstruction, such as reef, rocky area or shipwreck
Extreme weather conditions
Sea ice
Strong currents/ tide
Water depth variability
Faulty, old or damaged gear
Equipment failure (e.g., hauler or location equipment)
Operator error/ inexperience
Gear not properly secured on-board
Gear not properly secured on dock/shore
Suspected theft or vandalism
Conflict with active fishing gear (e.g., crossing lines with other gear, entanglement)
Conflict with derelict fishing gear (ALDFG) or marine debris
Conflict with non-fishing vessels
Conflict with other fishing vessels
Conflict with other industries (e.g., aquaculture, logging)
Damaged or towed away by hooked fish
Conflict with other animals (e.g., sea lions, whales)
Lack of disposal options (gear intentionally discarded overboard)
Other

16-2. If you selected "other", what are other causes of loss and how frequently do they occur?
17-2. If you would like to elaborate on any of the causes of loss selected, please do so here:

18-2. What practices do you use to avoid gear loss or damage? Answer each line by selecting one the five possible responses provided.

Rows	Regular practice	Occasional practice	Not used	Dont know	Not applicable
Avoid setting the fishing gear in areas known for snagging
Avoid crowded fishing areas
Cooperate with other harvesters
Avoid areas of high vessel traffic/shipping lanes
Communicate with nearby fishing vessels
Avoid fishing in extreme weather conditions
Avoid areas with strong currents
Make sure all equipment (e.g. such as pot haulers or navigation) used with fishing gear is in good condition
Training on proper fishing techniques
Know fishing depth and rig accordingly
Securely stow fishing gear on board
Securely stow fishing gear on dock/shore
Repair or replace worn fishing gear or parts
Implement measures to avoid theft or vandalism of gear
Use appropriate waste fishing gear disposal containers

19-2. If you selected "other", what practices do you use and at what frequency (regular, occasional)?

15-3. When gear is lost, what are the most frequent causes of loss? Answer each line by selecting one of the five possible responses provided.

Rows	Frequent cause of loss	Occasional cause of loss	Never a cause of loss	Unknown	Not applicable
Gear snagged on bottom obstruction, such as reef, rocky area or shipwreck
Extreme weather conditions
Sea ice
Strong currents/ tide
Water depth variability
Faulty, old or damaged gear
Equipment failure (e.g., hauler or location equipment)
Operator error/ inexperience
Gear not properly secured on-board
Gear not properly secured on dock/shore
Suspected theft or vandalism
Conflict with active fishing gear (e.g., crossing lines with other gear, entanglement)
Conflict with derelict fishing gear (ALDFG) or marine debris
Conflict with non-fishing vessels
Conflict with other fishing vessels
Conflict with other industries (e.g., aquaculture, logging)
Damaged or towed away by hooked fish
Conflict with other animals (e.g., sea lions, whales)
Lack of disposal options (gear intentionally discarded overboard)
Other

16-3. If you selected "other", what are other causes of loss and how frequently do they occur?
17-3. If you would like to elaborate on any of the causes of loss selected, please do so here:

18-3. What practices do you use to avoid gear loss or damage? Answer each line by selecting one the five possible responses provided.

Rows	Regular practice	Occasional practice	Not used	Dont know	Not applicable
Avoid setting the fishing gear in areas known for snagging
Avoid crowded fishing areas
Cooperate with other harvesters
Avoid areas of high vessel traffic/shipping lanes
Communicate with nearby fishing vessels
Avoid fishing in extreme weather conditions
Avoid areas with strong currents
Make sure all equipment (e.g. such as pot haulers or navigation) used with fishing gear is in good condition
Training on proper fishing techniques
Know fishing depth and rig accordingly
Securely stow fishing gear on board
Securely stow fishing gear on dock/shore
Repair or replace worn fishing gear or parts
Implement measures to avoid theft or vandalism of gear
Use appropriate waste fishing gear disposal containers

19-3. If you selected "other", what practices do you use and at what frequency (regular, occasional)?

15-4. When gear is lost, what are the most frequent causes of loss? Answer each line by selecting one of the five possible responses provided.

Rows	Frequent cause of loss	Occasional cause of loss	Never a cause of loss	Unknown	Not applicable
Gear snagged on bottom obstruction, such as reef, rocky area or shipwreck
Extreme weather conditions
Sea ice
Strong currents/ tide
Water depth variability
Faulty, old or damaged gear
Equipment failure (e.g., hauler or location equipment)
Operator error/ inexperience
Gear not properly secured on-board
Gear not properly secured on dock/shore
Suspected theft or vandalism
Conflict with active fishing gear (e.g., crossing lines with other gear, entanglement)
Conflict with derelict fishing gear (ALDFG) or marine debris
Conflict with non-fishing vessels
Conflict with other fishing vessels
Conflict with other industries (e.g., aquaculture, logging)
Damaged or towed away by hooked fish
Conflict with other animals (e.g., sea lions, whales)
Lack of disposal options (gear intentionally discarded overboard)
Other

16-4. If you selected "other", what are other causes of loss and how frequently do they occur?
17-4. If you would like to elaborate on any of the causes of loss selected, please do so here:

18-4. What practices do you use to avoid gear loss or damage? Answer each line by selecting one the five possible responses provided.

Rows	Regular practice	Occasional practice	Not used	Dont know	Not applicable
Avoid setting the fishing gear in areas known for snagging
Avoid crowded fishing areas
Cooperate with other harvesters
Avoid areas of high vessel traffic/shipping lanes
Communicate with nearby fishing vessels
Avoid fishing in extreme weather conditions
Avoid areas with strong currents
Make sure all equipment (e.g. such as pot haulers or navigation) used with fishing gear is in good condition
Training on proper fishing techniques
Know fishing depth and rig accordingly
Securely stow fishing gear on board
Securely stow fishing gear on dock/shore
Repair or replace worn fishing gear or parts
Implement measures to avoid theft or vandalism of gear
Use appropriate waste fishing gear disposal containers

19-4. If you selected "other", what practices do you use and at what frequency (regular, occasional)?

E. Practices for End-of-Life Fishing Gear

These questions ask about your methods for handling and disposing of fishing gear when it can no longer be used (at its end-of-life).
Dry StorageDisposal in landfillRecycledIncineratedOther
21. What are the name(s) of the disposal facilities you commonly use?
22. If you selected "other", what other means do you use to manage your end-of-life fishing gear?
YesNoDont know
Should be Empty:

Causes of Commercial Fishing Gear Loss in Canada

A. Harvester Information

B. Fishing Gear Used

C. Amount of Lost and Retrieved Fishing Gear

D. Causes and Strategies to Prevent Gear Loss

E. Practices for End-of-Life Fishing Gear