Derelict fishing gear in relation to the characteristics of coastal fisheries in Taiwan

Abstract Taiwan’s fishing industry is characterized by abundant marine resources and diverse fishing operation modes. However, significant investment in fishing activities has also led to substantial fishing-related waste. This study analyzed 1037 beach cleanup records collected from 2009 to 2018 across various counties and cities in Taiwan, focusing on the composition and distribution hotspots of marine debris and derelict fishing gear (DFG). The results identified Kaohsiung, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, and Keelung—counties located in northern and western Taiwan—as the top five regions with the highest quantities of marine debris. Among the DFG, floating items were the most prevalent (59%), followed by fishing gear (25%) and tackle items (16%). The study further revealed that the most influential factors for all three DFG types were the average tonnage of boats and the boat number of net type (N). The composition and quantity of DFG reflect the specific characteristics of the fishing industry in each county, such as fishing gear usage, aquaculture activities, and consumer demand for fishing products. These findings provide valuable insights into the primary types of DFG and their underlying causes across different regions, offering a foundational basis for the development of targeted governmental policies to address marine debris and DFG management in Taiwan.