Working with fishermen in the South West to fish marine litter out of the sea, one catch at a time.
The Issue
Marine litter causes injury and death to marine life and is creating significant debris on beaches and in fishermen’s nets.
The Solution
More than 300 tonnes of marine litter has been removed from the ocean by 150 fishing vessels which have been taking part in the Fishing for Litter project since 2009.
The vessels are given large bags to collect plastics, ghost fishing gear and any other marine debris they collect whilst out fishing at sea. Once back in port, they can unload the bins into an allocated place in the port.
The Process
In 2004 KIMO International created a project to address the rising issue of debris in the oceans, Fishing for Litter.
The Fishing for Litter project reaches out to key ocean stakeholders, the fishing industry itself.
The project began in the Netherlands and has grown across 15 member countries of OSPAR and has 3 branches in the UK; Scotland, Yorkshire and the South West of England.
There are currently 12 harbours in the South West of England who partake in the project
Involvement is on a voluntary basis, by people in the fishing industry who are out to sea making their living.
Fishermen are able to carry out their work, whilst being compensated for costs of collecting and disposing of litter.
