The United States Department of State, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United Nations Environment Programme Regional Corodinating Unit for the Caribbean Environment Programme (UNEP CAR/RCU) are collaborating to host a Caribbean Derelict Fishing Gear Workshop to be held 17-19 July 2007, at the Dr. Nancy Foster Florida Keys Environmental Complex, in Key West, Florida.

Derelict fishing gear and related debris (e.g. fishing nets, lines, pots, plastic bags and other debris related to fishing activity) can contribute to the degradation of coastal and marine  resources and negatively impact on economic livelihoods.  The impacts of derelict fishing gear include navigational hazards, continued fishing functionality of lost gear (i.e., ghost fishing), species entanglement, and destruction of coral reefs and degradation of inshore coastal areas. 

The purpose of the Caribbean Derelict Fishing Gear Workshop is to provide a forum for participants to share information on the impact(s) of derelict fishing gear in the Wider Caribbean, discuss the national and regional priorities to address derelict fishing gear and to foster collection and exchange of data and information pertaining to the management of derelict fishing gear and its implications in the Wider Caribbean. 

The findings from the workshop are also expected to assist UNEP-CAR/RCU in the further development and implementation of a Draft Regional Action Plan for Marine Litter Management in the Caribbean.