GGGI 2023 SMALL GRANTS RECIPIENTS
The GGGI 2023 Small Grant awardees have been announced! This year, we received more applications than ever before requesting over $550,000 USD. Selecting successful organizations/projects was, as always, extremely challenging, and we thank everyone who sent in an application - your work is extremely valuable.
In the end, the selection committee, consisting of GGGI staff and our Expert Advisory Council, selected the following six projects for funding. Congratulations to all successful applicants!
Environment and Food Foundation, Cameroon
Cameroon ALDFG Reduction Initiative
Through this project the Environment to Food Foundation (E2F) will build on the organization’s existing work in Douala, Cameroon, to provide a holistic approach to the sustainable management of ALDFG by increasing the knowledge base among relevant stakeholders through data collection, education campaigns, and prevention and mitigation efforts. Workshops, educational materials, and direct engagement with the fishing community will increase the reach of E2F and continue to empower local communities and to drive policy and advocacy efforts around ALDFG.
Fundación Tuna Conservation Group, Ecuador
Taking Care of Galápagos for the Recycling of FADs from TUNACONS’ Fleet with the Possibility of Stranding on Coasts
On 19 February 2022, the Taking Care of Galápagos initiative was launched in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, as a result of the MOU signed at the III Ecuadorian Fisheries Summit. The initiative is comprised of three main goals: collection of DCP to avoid accumulation in the coastal areas of the islands; collection of debris and garbage on seabed; and development of Fishing Improvement Projects for artisanal fishing in the Galápagos.
TUNACON’s project will focus on the first goal of the Taking Care of Galápagos initiative – to collect fish aggregating devices (FADs), with a goal of reducing their presence completely. Through this project, FADs will be reported when the position of record is within 15 miles of the coast, or stranding is imminent. Project coordinators will work with artisanal fishing cooperatives of the Galápagos to collect FADs and properly distribute or dispose of materials.
Go Green Save the Environment, Malawi
Abandoned Fishing Gear Initiative
This pilot project aims to protect human and environmental health from plastic waste and abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) in Malawi by strengthening knowledge and capacity among decision makers in Malawi. An initial feasibility study will be conducted an involves research, trainings, and community science to determine the causes and sources of ALDFG, examine costs and opportunities for return and recovery, and overall reduction of plastic waste.
Mare Nostrum, Romania
Net Free Black Sea 2.0
Mare Nostrum has been researching the impacts of ALDFG on the marine ecosystem of the Black Sea for the last four years, recognizing that marine litter impacting marine wildlife and ecosystems is on the rise globally and poses considerable ecological and socioeconomic challenges. This project continues the important and impactful work of Mare Nostrum by recruiting new ALDFG stakeholders and building a database of contacts. Additionally, workshops and trainings for network members will be conducted to assist with developing a guideline for regional best practices and recommendations, continuing the ALDFG recovery program, and supporting the new media campaign around Black Sea Action Day.
Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Foundation, United States
The Catch More Crab Outreach Campaign: Working to Prevent Crab Pot Loss in Washington's Salish Sea
The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Foundation (NWSF) proposes to continue and expand the Catch More Crab recreational crabber outreach campaign, which is designed to educate crabbers on best practices to prevent pot loss for a healthy Washington Salish Sea (WASS). Educational materials, instructional videos, and advertisements are regularly created, updated, and shared throughout the WASS region and locations where crabbing gear and licenses are sold. Additionally, the NWSF collaborates with state, tribal, and community organizations to host virtual and in-person educational workshops.
Wolf Fish Ltd., Thailand/United Kingdom
Aerial Recon and Recovery Initiative (ARRI) Thailand: Locating ALDFG Through Drone Surveying Across Surat Thani Environmental Protected Area
The Gulf of Thailand is one of the most active fishing locations globally and is host the popular fishing practice of gillnetting – one of the world’s most indiscriminate and damaging activities, that is characterized by high rates of gear loss and entanglement of non-target species. The islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao are located in the Surat Thani Environmental Protected Area, which is directly south of this highly active fishing region. Reports of local marine conservation efforts indicate a large quantity of ALDFG caught on the reefs of these islands – however, there has been no comprehensive or systematic survey of ALDFG to date.
This project will focus on the use of aerial drones to survey large stretches of coastal water, in search of ALDFG. Based on the geography of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao and their proximity to highly active fishing areas, it is anticipated that these islands will be ideal for aerial surveying activities. This method of environmental monitoring will allow researchers to understand the extent of ALDFG accumulation, including quantity and type of gear causing damage to the local marine ecosystem.
