Gear for Good
Equip a Fisher. Protect the Ocean.
Illegal fishing often starts with desperation — not crime. Let’s change that with the right tools.
Why Legal Gear Matters
In coastal communities around the world, small-scale fishers make a living with whatever tools they can afford — and too often, that means dangerous or illegal gear. These fishers aren’t criminals. They're parents, providers, and survivors. But without access to safe, affordable alternatives, they risk breaking the law, harming marine ecosystems, and losing their only source of income.
The real tragedy? Many of them would choose to fish responsibly if they simply had the gear to do it.
Key Problems
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Cheap illegal gear (like fine-mesh nets and dynamite) is often the only option in poor fishing villages.
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Unsustainable tools lead to overfishing, coral reef destruction, and the accidental death of turtles, sharks, and other protected species.
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Many fishers don’t know their gear is illegal — laws are poorly communicated, and enforcement often comes without education.
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Once caught using illegal gear, fishers can lose their licenses, boats, or even face jail — further trapping them in poverty.
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Sustainable gear is too expensive or not available locally, leaving no safe alternative.
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Some middlemen exploit this gap, providing illegal tools in exchange for a cut of the profits.
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Youth in fishing communities grow up seeing IUU as “normal,” fueling a generational cycle of ocean abuse.
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Climate change makes it worse — with fish harder to find, the temptation to use illegal gear grows stronger.
Our Solution
We don’t just hand out equipment — we build partnerships. Gear for Good works directly with grassroots organizations, local governments, and community leaders to deliver the tools, training, and trust fishers need to fish sustainably — and legally.
By providing access to certified, reef-safe gear and offering simple education on legal practices, we give fishers a chance to stay on the right side of the law — and protect the ocean that feeds them.
What We offer
Biodegradable Nets to reduce bycatch and ghost fishing when lost at sea.
Legal Mesh Sizes to ensure juvenile fish escape and reproduce
Floats & Weights to prevent seabed dragging and coral destruction.
Buoys with IDs to help fishers comply with traceability and local laws.
Protective Gloves & Tools to promote humane handling and reduce injury.
Illustrated Training Guide to explains legal practices in local languages with images for low-literacy users.
Hotline/Support access to Some kits include solar radios or phone access for reporting IUU activity.