The UK’s hugely successful Fishing for Litter South West marine litter project has landed £45,000 of funding from The Crown Estate.
Fishing for Litter South West is funded through the Crown Estate's marine stewardship fund. It aims to make a vital contribution to the protection of marine mammals by providing vessels with large durable bags to dispose of marine litter, which the harbour authorities then collect in dedicated skips and bins. Almost 70 tonnes of marine litter has been collected as part of the project so far.
Alison Elvey de Rios, South West Fishing for Litter Coordinator, commented: “The project has grown from strength to strength over the last three years, and the Crown Estate funding will help us build on its success, not only by helping to collect at least another 100 tonnes of litter, but also to increase education activity for children and the general public about the project and the impacts of marine litter.”
Meanwhile, the Crown Estate said it’s committed to supporting projects which help reduce marine litter and will be supporting the fishermen of the south west for at least another three years.
Launched in Newlyn in 2009, the Fishing for Litter South West project now counts Brixham, Plymouth, Newquay, Looe, St Ives, Mevagissey, Hayle and Padstow among participating ports.
Currently, 154 fishing vessels from across the south west are participating in the scheme.
