The busy fishing port of Dunmore East in County Waterford is now the 9th fishing port to participate in the Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Fishing for Litter programme.
There are now over 70 fishing vessels from Dunmore East, Kinsale, Union Hall, Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros a Mhil, Killybegs, Greencastle and Clogherhead taking part in the BIM programme that provides fishing for litter bags to fishermen so they can voluntarily collect and bring ashore marine litter caught in fishing nets, on board vessels and found out at sea for appropriate disposal and recycling.
‘This simple yet effective initiative has already resulted in the collection of 21 tonnes of waste over the last three years,’ said BIM CEO Jim O’Toole.
‘With nine fishing ports involved, the sector is taking an active role in protecting the local environment for future generations. I would like to welcome Dunmore East to the programme and recognise the South East Inshore Fisheries Forum, their Vice Chair Trudy McIntyre and the local community for playing a pivotal role in the port’s involvement.’
The BIM Fishing for Litter programme is funded under the European Maritime Fisheries Fund and forms part of BIM’s wider Sustainability programme including standards in Responsible fishing practices, net recycling and waste management.
