Lost and abandoned fishing gear—often called ghost gear—continues to damage marine ecosystems and fisheries across Canada. The Ghost Gear Fund is a federal grant that helps organizations remove, recycle, and prevent this equipment from harming oceans and coastal communities. If your organization works in marine cleanup, fisheries, or environmental protection, this program can cover a meaningful share of your project costs.
The Ghost Gear Fund is run by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). Its main goal is to address abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear in Canadian waters, while supporting safer and more sustainable fishing practices.
The program is federal and can support projects in coastal, nearshore, and offshore waters across Canada. Funding is a grant, which means you do not pay it back if you meet your agreement terms.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you quickly check if your organization and project fit the Ghost Gear Fund and similar marine grants.
Funding under the Ghost Gear Fund is flexible, but projects must clearly reduce the environmental and economic impacts of ghost gear. Based on program guidance, eligible activities commonly include:
Funding amounts vary by intake and project size. There is no single set maximum, and awards are assessed case by case based on impact, scale, and value for money.
The Ghost Gear Fund application process is intake-based. DFO opens calls for proposals at certain times instead of accepting applications all year.
Applications are reviewed based on environmental impact, how possible the project is, partnerships, and cost effectiveness.
Applying outside an active intake
The Ghost Gear Fund is not always open. Submissions outside a call for proposals are not assessed.
Ignoring safety and logistics
Marine retrieval projects must clearly address safety, permits, and environmental risk.
Weak project metrics
Vague outcomes like “cleanup activities” are less competitive than measurable results, such as kilograms of gear removed.
Assuming funding is guaranteed every year
Each intake is competitive, even for past recipients.
Q: What is the Ghost Gear Fund in Canada?
It is a federal grant program led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada that supports projects to remove and prevent abandoned or lost fishing gear in Canadian waters.
Q: Who can apply for the Ghost Gear Fund?
Eligible applicants include Indigenous organizations, nonprofits, fishing associations, research institutions, and other marine sector groups with relevant experience.
Q: What types of projects are funded?
Projects focused on gear retrieval, recycling, disposal, prevention, research, and innovation related to ghost gear are eligible.
Q: Do you have to pay back Ghost Gear Fund funding?
No. You do not have to pay back funding from the Ghost Gear Fund.
Q: Is the Ghost Gear Fund currently open?
Program status depends on active intakes. Calls for proposals open periodically, so it is important to monitor official announcements.
If you are planning a marine cleanup or prevention project, the Ghost Gear Fund is a major national grant to consider, but it is rarely the only option. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada, including fisheries, environmental, and Indigenous funding. Checking which programs match your organization and project type can help you build a stronger and more complete funding plan.
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