Canada Launches $15M Fund to Remove Ghost Fishing Gear

Fishing nets and traps left behind in the ocean are getting a powerful cleanup effort, thanks to Canada's new $15 million Ghost Gear Fund launching in 2026.

The fund targets abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing equipment that continues trapping and killing marine life long after fishers leave it behind. These "ghost nets" are one of the ocean's biggest plastic pollution problems, silently destroying fish populations, coral reefs, and coastal ecosystems.

Starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, organizations around the world can apply for grants between $50,000 and $500,000 to tackle this underwater menace. The money supports everything from diving teams retrieving old nets to developing better gear tracking systems that prevent equipment from getting lost in the first place.

Nonprofits, Indigenous communities, fishing companies, research institutions, and even international groups can apply. The fund particularly welcomes Indigenous-led projects, recognizing that coastal communities have been stewarding ocean health for generations.

Projects can focus on multiple approaches. Some might pull ghost gear from the ocean floor, while others develop recycling systems to turn old nets into useful products. Innovation gets funding too, including new fishing technologies that are harder to lose or easier to recover.

The program also supports public education campaigns and training fishers in better gear management. Multi-year projects are welcome, giving teams time to make lasting change.

The Ripple Effect

Beyond saving individual sea turtles and dolphins from entanglement, this fund strengthens the entire fishing industry's sustainability. Healthier oceans mean healthier fish populations, which means fishing communities can thrive for generations.

The initiative builds on Canada's broader commitment to reducing marine plastic pollution. By addressing ghost gear specifically, it tackles an often-invisible problem that accounts for a significant portion of ocean plastic.

Community engagement sits at the heart of successful applications. The strongest projects partner fishers, conservation groups, and coastal residents in solutions that work for everyone. After all, the people who depend on healthy oceans have the most to gain from protecting them.

Applications open with a June 29, 2026 deadline. Organizations should develop detailed work plans showing clear environmental benefits, realistic budgets, and strong community partnerships.

The fund proves that practical solutions to ocean pollution are within reach when we invest in them.