Welcome to our seventh episode! This time, we’re shining a light on abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)—often referred to as “ghost gear”—and its impact on marine ecosystems.

We sit down with Hafsa Jamel, Programme Manager at the Lanka Environment Fund (LEF), who has been instrumental in the Mannar Region Systemic Solutions (MARESSOL) project. Hafsa shares insights into the challenges posed by ALDFG in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait, the collaborative efforts underway to tackle this issue, and the importance of working with local communities and stakeholders to co-create sustainable, long-term solutions.

As a member of the Parrotfish Collective (PFC), Hafsa also breaks down the process of building content that’s not only visually engaging but rooted in science and local context. She shares how storytelling can make conservation more accessible and relevant to wider audiences.