Helena Joyce
Fishing nets are a significant source of plastic pollution, with nearly 50% of ocean plastic being discarded fishing nets. These nets, also known as ghost nets, stay in the ocean for extended periods, trapping marine animals such as turtles, dolphins, and fish, leading to their slow and painful death. To address this issue, various solutions have been proposed, including recycling programs, better tracking and recovery of gear, improved gear management, and the development of biodegradable fishing nets. Some organizations are working to remove ghost nets from the oceans, while others advocate for government intervention and the implementation of global treaties to address plastic pollution. While there is a clear environmental incentive to preventing ghost nets, there is also an economic incentive, as lost gear must be replaced, impacting the financial health of fishing communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of ocean plastic that is fishing nets | 46% to 50% |
| Impact on marine life | Entangling and killing marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, seals, dolphins, sharks, whales, and other marine fauna |
| Solutions | Governments working with businesses to create incentives for recycling fishing nets, using biodegradable fishing nets, creating a global treaty on plastic pollution, improving gear tracking and recovery, and establishing ocean sanctuaries |
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What You'll Learn
- Encourage large businesses to recycle nets as part of their CSR activities
- Governments to survey fishing gear manufacturers and hold them responsible for recycling
- Make recycling free and simple for fishers
- Develop tools to better track and recover lost gear
- Establish a global treaty on plastic pollution with binding targets
Encourage large businesses to recycle nets as part of their CSR activities
Large businesses can play a pivotal role in reducing fishing net pollution by recycling nets as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. Firstly, they can partner with fishing gear manufacturers to ensure that fishing nets are recyclable or made from biodegradable materials. This collaboration can address the root cause of the problem by promoting the production and distribution of eco-friendly fishing nets.
Additionally, businesses can actively engage in recycling fishing nets and creating innovative products from recycled materials. For instance, companies like POPSICASE have pioneered the creation of eco-friendly phone cases made from 100% recycled fishing nets. Bureo is another excellent example, offering products such as frisbees, t-shirts, and mugs crafted from recycled fishing nets. By embracing similar initiatives, large businesses can make a significant impact in reducing fishing net pollution.
Furthermore, businesses can establish comprehensive waste management systems that go beyond simply recycling nets. They can identify areas within their operations where waste can be minimized, such as encouraging digital documentation to reduce paper usage or implementing bulk purchasing options to decrease packaging waste. By adopting a holistic approach to waste reduction, businesses can enhance their brand reputation and increase public awareness of their environmental efforts.
To further encourage large businesses to participate in net recycling, governments can play a facilitative role. For instance, the Indian government's Extended Producers Responsibility Framework demonstrates a commitment to tackling plastic pollution. Similarly, governments can provide GPS equipment at subsidized rates to fishing gear manufacturers, enabling the tracking of gear and enforcing recycling through policies like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). By partnering with governments and embracing sustainable practices, large businesses can make a significant difference in mitigating fishing net pollution and protecting marine ecosystems.
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Governments to survey fishing gear manufacturers and hold them responsible for recycling
Fishing nets are a significant source of plastic pollution, with nearly 50% of ocean plastic being attributed to them. These nets are often made of nylon plastics and have a long shelf life, trapping marine fauna and leading to ghost fishing. To combat this issue, governments should take a comprehensive survey of fishing gear manufacturers, both formal and informal, to understand the financial dynamics of the industry. Assigning a unique ID to each commercial fishing gear unit and holding the producers responsible for recycling can be an effective strategy.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes can be enforced by governments to ensure the recycling of fishing gear. This can be facilitated by subsidizing the cost of GPS equipment to track the location of fishing gear. Fines can also be levied on manufacturers who fail to recycle a pre-set percentage of their nets. For instance, the Indian government has demonstrated its commitment to tackling plastic pollution through its Extended Producers Responsibility Framework. Similarly, the UK government has partnered with various organizations to hold workshops and develop solutions for sustainable management.
To further encourage recycling, governments can provide incentives for fishing gear manufacturers to create a pull factor for net recycling. Additionally, large businesses can be motivated to recycle plastic as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Biodegradable fishing nets can be produced and distributed as part of companies' CSR activities. While these steps are crucial, achieving zero plastic waste by 2030 demands more comprehensive strategies.
The fishing industry is also taking initiatives to address the issue of ghost gear. For example, companies like Waterhaul are dedicated to recovering and recycling ghost gear into sustainable products like eyewear, tools, and plastic polymer pellets. Other companies like Fishy Filaments are creating products for 3D printers, while Odyssey Innovation collects old nets to make kayaks from recycled materials. These efforts contribute to a circular economy approach, reducing the impact of ghost gear on marine life.
In conclusion, governments play a vital role in tackling fishing net pollution by surveying and holding fishing gear manufacturers accountable for recycling. Implementing EPR schemes, providing incentives, and partnering with businesses can drive progress toward reducing plastic waste in our oceans.
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Make recycling free and simple for fishers
Fishing nets are a significant source of plastic pollution, with nets making up nearly 50% of ocean plastic. These nets, made of nylon plastics, stay in the ocean for a long time, trapping marine life and leading to ghost fishing. While nets can be recycled, it is often more convenient for fishers to dispose of them in the ocean.
To address this issue, governments and businesses should work together to create incentives for fishers to recycle their nets. Large businesses can be encouraged to recycle nets as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Governments can also collaborate with fishing gear manufacturers to ensure nets are recyclable and to develop biodegradable alternatives.
To facilitate recycling, governments can provide subsidised GPS equipment to track fishing gear and hold manufacturers responsible for recycling a certain percentage of their products. Additionally, governments can establish free and convenient recycling programs specifically for fishing gear, partnering with local waste management companies to ensure proper disposal and recycling.
Furthermore, governments can offer incentives or subsidies for fishers to use biodegradable fishing nets. This could be in the form of tax breaks or grants to help offset the cost of more expensive biodegradable options. By making recycling accessible and financially viable for fishers, governments can help reduce the amount of fishing net pollution in our oceans.
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Develop tools to better track and recover lost gear
Fishing nets are a significant source of plastic pollution, with nearly 50% of ocean plastic being fishing nets. These nets stay in the ocean for a long time, trapping marine life and creating ghost fishing. To prevent this, we need to develop tools to better track and recover lost gear.
One way to do this is to encourage large businesses to recycle plastic as part of their CSR activities. Big companies can partner with fishing gear manufacturers to ensure that fishing nets are recyclable or made of biodegradable materials. The Indian government has shown its commitment to tackling plastic pollution through its Extended Producers Responsibility Framework, and similar initiatives can be taken to address abandoned ocean fishing nets.
Another approach is to implement an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, where each commercial fishing gear unit is given a unique ID, and the producers are held responsible for recycling a certain percentage of their manufactured fishing nets. To track the gear, small GPS devices can be attached to the nets, with the government providing GPS equipment at a subsidized cost. Fines can be levied on manufacturers if they do not meet recycling targets.
Additionally, social media and video analysis have been suggested as efficient tools to collect data on lost fishing gear. Analyzing the online content of magnet fishers, who use neodymium magnets to retrieve metal items from water, can provide valuable information about the amount and type of lost fishing gear in freshwater environments.
Finally, projects such as the California Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project have been successful in retrieving over 100 tons of lost fishing gear and marine debris from California's coastal ocean. Similar initiatives can be implemented in other regions to actively remove lost gear from the ocean and reduce its impact on marine life.
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Establish a global treaty on plastic pollution with binding targets
Fishing nets are a significant source of plastic pollution in the oceans. Nets, lines, pots, and traps used in commercial fishing are often dumped and discarded in the sea, where they remain for a long time, trapping marine life and creating "ghost fishing gear". This gear includes any abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing equipment, which can entangle and kill marine mammals, seabirds, sea turtles, and sharks.
To address this issue, a global treaty on plastic pollution with binding targets is essential. In March 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) took a crucial step by agreeing to create a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution. This agreement established an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop a UN Plastics Treaty addressing the full life cycle of plastics, from production to disposal.
The INC has held several sessions, with the first taking place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, in November 2022. However, progress has been slow due to the influence of the fossil fuel and plastics industry, and disagreements over the specific measures to be included in the treaty. Some countries have proposed National Action Plans with non-binding targets, while others have called for a reduction in plastic production and a phase-out of certain plastic products.
To establish a strong global treaty, it is crucial to address the root causes of plastic pollution, which lie in fossil fuel and plastic production. Governments should work together with businesses to create incentives for recycling fishing nets and develop biodegradable alternatives. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks can be implemented, where producers are held responsible for recycling their products, with GPS technology used for tracking.
Additionally, over 700 civil society groups and non-governmental organizations have urged UN member states to negotiate a legally binding plastic treaty. This includes the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), which has been working with fishers and government agencies to remove abandoned nets, establish gear collection and recycling programs, and develop tools for better gear management and tracking.
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Frequently asked questions
Ghost fishing gear is any fishing gear that has been abandoned, lost, or discarded. This includes nets, lines, pots, and traps.
Ghost fishing gear is a major source of ocean plastic pollution, accounting for approximately 10% of all marine litter. It can remain in the ocean for decades or even centuries, entangling and killing marine life.
Preventing ghost fishing gear pollution requires a combination of government regulation, industry initiatives, and individual actions:
- Governments should implement policies to reduce plastic pollution, such as establishing global treaties and local regulations, providing incentives for recycling, and enforcing extended producer responsibility.
- Industries, including fishing gear manufacturers and large businesses, should invest in sustainable practices, such as producing biodegradable fishing nets and partnering in recycling programs.
- Individuals can support organizations working to remove ghost gear, advocate for stronger regulations, and make conscious choices to reduce their plastic waste.
Organizations like Sea Shepherd and WWF collaborate with governments and local communities to retrieve and dispose of ghost fishing gear. They also work on prevention by advocating for better tracking and recovery systems, promoting sustainable fishing practices, and raising awareness about the issue.
You can take action by:
- Supporting organizations dedicated to removing ghost fishing gear and advocating for policy changes, such as Sea Shepherd and WWF.
- Contacting government representatives to urge them to address plastic pollution and support global treaties.
- Reducing your own plastic waste and encouraging others to do the same.
- Spreading awareness about the issue and educating others about the impact of ghost fishing gear on marine life.
