Vietnamese fishers' perceptions on the effects of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear and their willingness to participate in retrieval efforts

Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) is a global challenge, that adversely impacts both marine ecosystems and the livelihood of fishers. This study explores the fishers’ perceptions and concerns regarding ALDFG consequences, and investigates how these concerns shape their willingness to participate in retrieval efforts. Data were collected through a survey of 525 fishers in Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam. Using ordered logit and binary logit analyses, our results indicate that Vietnamese fishers' concerns about ALDFG are significantly influenced by their perceptions of the broader consequences of marine litter. These heightened concerns subsequently lead to a greater willingness among fishers to engage in retrieval efforts. Additionally, our findings suggest that fishers who have experienced direct economic or operational losses due to ALDFG, such as damages to their catch or gear, are more inclined to take part in retrieval activities. It is recommended that targeted awareness campaigns, incentive programs, and waste management systems should be implemented to address not only the environmental impacts but also enhance the economic benefits of retrieval efforts, thereby encouraging greater participation among fishers.