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Abandoned, Lost, and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear as a Source of Plastic Pollution in Inland Fisheries.

Thursday, October 01, 2026 at 1:00pm to 2:00pm

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SMAST East 102-103 : 836 S. Rodney French Boulevard, New Bedford MA 02744
Callie Rumbut
c.rumbut@umassd.edu
https://umassd.zoom.us/s/98433910843

Department of Fisheries Oceanography
PhD Dissertation Defense

"Abandoned, Lost, and Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear as a Source of Plastic Pollution in Inland Fisheries."
By: Drake Ssempijja

Advisor: Dr. Pingguo He (UMass Dartmouth)

Committee Members

  • Dr. Steven X. Cadrin (UMass Dartmouth)
  • Dr. Chris Rillahan (UMass Dartmouth)
  • Dr. Paul Winger (Memorial University of Newfoundland)

Thursday October 1, 2026
1:00 PM
SMAST East 102-103
836 S. Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford
and via Zoom

Abstract:

Abandoned, lost, and otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is an increasingly pressing concern for global fisheries resources and the aquatic environment. This has negative impacts on the aquatic ecosystem, including ghostfishing mortality of commercial, recreational, and protected species; degradation of sensitive habitats; negative effects on the recreational use of beaches and shorelines when gear drifts ashore; and hazards to navigation when gear floats in shipping lanes and coastal areas. Most research on the status, extent, and solutions to the ALDFG challenge has focused on marine fisheries in the developed world, with very few studies on inland fisheries. The objectives of this research are to improve understanding of the status, extent, and management of ALDFG by providing evidence-based estimates of ALDFG, its drivers, and current management regimes to aid in developing mitigation strategies specific to inland fisheries. The thesis includes: 1) an in-depth global account of the state of ALDFG in inland fisheries over the last 50 years through a systematic review and analysis; 2) estimates of gear loss, an understanding of the drivers, and an analysis of available ALDFG management strategies for gillnet and hooks and lines fisheries in Lake Victoria, East Africa; 3) use of a gap analysis framework to assess the robustness of the existing policy environment and legislative arrangements concerning the management of ALDFG in Lake Victoria at the regional and riparian country levels to identify gaps and provide recommendations for improved management; and 4) a comparative analysis of the transboundary management of ALDFG in Lake Victoria and the American Great Lakes to advance understanding of cross-jurisdictional ALDFG management in inland fisheries. The thesis is a pioneering work on ALDFG and fishery-related plastic pollution in inland waters.

Join Meeting
https://umassd.zoom.us/s/98433910843

Note: Meeting ID and passcode required. Please email contact to obtain.

For additional information, please contact Callie Rumbut at c.rumbut@umassd.edu