Abstract submission deadline: Wednesday 16 December 2026

We invite abstracts for oral presentations and posters at the Ghost Gear Technology & Innovation 2027 conference. We welcome contributions exploring technologies, approaches, and practical experiences relevant to the detection, mapping, and retrieval of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG).

What we're looking for

We welcome a range of contributions, including:

• Research findings and technological developments relevant to ghost gear detection, mapping, and retrieval.
• Practical case studies, field trials, and experiences of applying technologies or approaches in real-world conditions.
• Insights into the capabilities and limitations of existing methods, including where particular approaches work well and where challenges remain.
• Technical, operational, financial, or regulatory barriers to the adoption and wider use of technologies.
• Emerging technologies and approaches from other sectors that could be applied to ghost gear challenges.
• Unmet needs and priority challenges where further research, innovation, or collaboration could make a difference.

We particularly welcome contributions that offer practical insights and lessons learned, including challenges encountered and approaches that have not worked as expected. Submissions describing ongoing work or early-stage developments are encouraged, alongside completed projects and research.

Presentations should focus on sharing relevant knowledge, findings, and experiences rather than primarily promoting commercial products or services.

Suggested themes

Abstracts are invited across the following broad themes:

1. Detection and location – Technologies and approaches for detecting and locating lost fishing gear.
2. Mapping, monitoring, and data – Mapping the distribution of ghost gear, understanding patterns of accumulation, and using data to inform detection and retrieval efforts.
3. Retrieval technologies and operations – Technologies, equipment, methods, and operational considerations for retrieving lost fishing gear safely and effectively.
4. From innovation to implementation – Practical, technical, financial, and regulatory challenges affecting the adoption, accessibility, and wider use of technologies.
5. Emerging and transferable technologies – New approaches and technologies from marine and other sectors with potential applications to ghost gear detection, mapping, or retrieval.

These themes are intended as a guide rather than a restriction. We also welcome relevant submissions that span multiple themes or do not fit neatly into these categories.

Submission guidelines

• Abstracts should be no more than 300 words.
• Submissions should include a presentation title, presenter name and affiliation, and a brief description of the work, approach, or experience being presented.
• Abstracts should explain the relevance of the contribution to ghost gear detection, mapping, or retrieval and highlight the principal findings, insights, lessons learned, or questions it raises.
• Authors will be asked to indicate the theme most relevant to their submission and their preferred presentation format: oral presentation, poster, or either.
• Submissions will be reviewed for their relevance, quality, and potential contribution to the conference programme.
• The organisers will determine the final presentation format, taking account of author preferences and the overall programme.

Accepted presenters will be expected to attend the conference in person at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton on Wednesday 3 March 2027.

Submit an abstract

Submission deadline: Wednesday 16 December 2026

Please submit your abstract using the online form below.