SEARCULAR’S NEW POLICY ROADMAP FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR FISHING GEAR

SEARCULAR’s new policy roadmap for a circular economy for fishing gear. Completing the Loop: SEARCULAR’s new policy roadmap for a circular economy for fishing gear

For the past three years the SEARCULAR consortium of 13 industry specialists and research organisations across Europe have collaborated with fishers, netmakers and ports to reduce marine litter generated by fishing gear at source. The results of this ambitious project have proven that there is another way to manufacture gear that is sustainable by design, and demonstrated that improved end-of-life management and recycling can give old gear new life. SEARCULAR’s recently published policy pack sets out clear recommendations to achieve this transition to a circular economy for fishing gear.

 It is estimated that approximately 26,000 tonnes of end-of-life (EOL) fishing gear waste ends up in European ports annually. To address this, and the mounting environmental health impact from marine plastics and microplastics, SEARCULAR has worked to reduce fisheries-based marine plastic pollution both at sea and at ports.

SEARCULAR has worked on four solutions, three of which target a future where gear is built from alternative materials and designed with end-of-life in mind. These three solutions include: dolly ropes built from recycled purse nets, the world’s first biodegradable seine ropes, and biodegradable fish aggregating devices – known as a BIOFADs – built from all natural materials. Bringing this together, SEARCULAR’s fourth solution has provided the blueprint for an innovative smart ‘Blue Point’ model, which supports EOL recycling and effective waste management.

Image: SEARCULAR

Based on the results of these four solutions, and learnings from collaboration and co-development with the fishing sector and industry, SEARCULAR has published four policy briefs on the following themes:

Policy Brief 1: Challenges and opportunities in developing circular fishing gear

This brief addresses how SEARCULAR has worked proactively to help European fisheries reach targets as laid out in The European Green Deal and the wider policy landscape. It outlines the progress made throughout the project and the primary barriers to the uptake of circular gear. It also shares how these can be overcome and how progress towards meeting sustainability targets can be furthered. Key recommendations include focusing policy on preventing marine litter at source and aligning gear design regulation with circular standards and frameworks.

Policy Brief 2: Biodegradable materials for fishing gear and equipment

In this brief SEARCULAR focuses on reducing marine litter at source through innovative design and manufacture, and demonstrates how the use of alternative materials to traditional plastic supports the targets set out by the European Green Deal and Zero Pollution Action Plan. SEARCULAR’s biodegradable seine ropes and BIOFADs have shown that alternative materials can work for fishers, and reduce the unintended environmental impact of traditional gear.

Policy Brief 3: Recycled materials for circular fishing gears

This brief details policy recommendations for gear recycling, such as approving and certifying circular gear, setting minimum thresholds for recycled materials, and introducing smart port reception facilities that improve the management of EOL gear. To support gear traceability and EOL management, SEARCULAR has also developed a proposal for a standardised Gear Tag and Gear Lifecycle Factsheet (known as a GLF), which will act as a Digital Product Passport for fishing gear (the details of which can be found in the policy pack).

Policy Brief 4: Waste Management Infrastructure – fishing gear from deck to port

Ports are legally required to provide adequate waste management facilities to handle fisheries-specific waste and prevent gear from reaching landfill. SEARCULAR has designed a smart ‘Blue Point’ which provides a dedicated pathway for recyclable materials to enter the circular economy. This brief provides key policy recommendations to strengthen port infrastructure and outlines how the proposed Blue Points can work alongside existing waste management pathways.

“The SEARCULAR project has successfully laid the foundation for the future of circular fishing gear. By proving that sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable alternatives are not only viable but effective in real-world conditions, SEARCULAR has shown that making sustainable changes to traditional fishing gear is possible” – Oihane C. Basurko, SEARCULAR Coordinator, AZTI.

SEARCULAR has provided the roadmap to reach targets set out in the European Green Deal and shown that rethinking fishing gear design can achieve tangible reductions in its impact on marine plastic pollution. Looking ahead, the success of a transition to a circular economy for fishing gear is dependent on its broader social adoption. It requires fishers, policymakers, manufacturers, the public and industry leaders alike to make this shift in order to realise the much-needed benefits to our marine environment and health.

SEARCULAR’s full suite of policy recommendations can be found here.

About SEARCULAR

SEARCULAR is an international project involving 13 industry specialists and research organisations across Europe. Working with fishers, netmakers and ports, to reduce marine litter generated by fishing gear at source.

Main image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay