End-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear surveys launched

Explaining the project, Seafish said that when fishing and aquaculture gear reaches the end of its life, it becomes difficult to manage sustainably, due to the cost and complexity of disassembling, and the current low value of the recovered materials meaning many gears end up in landfill.

To help understand what steps could be taken to help drive greater sustainable resource management, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has asked Seafish to speak with the entire gear supply chain including manufacturers/assemblers, fishing vessel owners and skippers, aquaculture businesses, ports/harbours and waste management companies.

Seafish researchers will interview supply chain stakeholders to glean important insights, including where gear is manufactured and assembled, the types of materials used, the average lifespan and what happens once the gear reaches the end of its useable life.

The research aims to create a better understanding of how waste can be reduced and where further support is needed around collection and recycling to help work towards a more circular economy.

Seafish’s ead of economics, insight and advice, Jennifer Robson said: “These surveys are an opportunity for organisations and stakeholders across the supply chain to have their voice heard on how gear is currently managed, including recycling, once it’s reached the end-of-life.

“By completing these surveys, you could help shape future policies on how to responsibly manage and recycle end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear.”

The surveys will be conducted in person at ports and harbours, and other sites around the UK.