Ghost Gear Webinar Reflection
NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has a treasure trove of informative webinars that people from all walks of life can find connections with.
As an avid fisherman, this particular webinar piqued my interest.
https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/multimedia/videos/gear-ghosts-reeling-problem
How did I connect with this webinar?
Watching “From Gear to Ghosts: Reeling in the Problem” from NOAA helped me see marine debris on a larger scale than I am used to. As an avid fisherman, I often see remnants of past anglers’ lazy habits or leisurely incompetence. This window into the larger impact builds a comprehensive connection between my experiences and the complex environmental challenge deeply connected to systems thinking, sustainability, and equity. As a 5th grade teacher, I discuss pollution and environmental impact regularly, but this video pushed my thinking beyond surface level topics.
Make it stand out
Ghost gear is fishing equipment that has been separated from its operator, drifting through the water column, or latching onto other debris, possibly for years. One insight that stood out to me was the discussion of ghost gear continuing to trap and kill marine lift for so long after it has been abandoned. The self-perpetuating hazard that ghost gear poses had not been as clear to me before.
Solutions are Collaborative
This webinar also helped me see just how vast the collaborative network has grown to combat the issue of ghost gear. Expanding industry connections between scientists in labs, divers below the waves, engineers all over the world, anglers in local waterways, and lawmakers in the largest and smallest countries around the world. It connected STEM learning to broader systems of ecology, technology, and social responsibility in a powerful and accessible way. The real-world problem solving that this webinar focuses on would be extremely useful in a classroom setting, providing not only a means of engagement, but also purpose.