A project to clean up the seas around Scotland over the next three years was launched today.
‘Fishing for Litter’ aims to clear the sea of litter. Rubbish that is trawled up as part of normal fishing activities is disposed of on land, and this is achieved by providing large hardwearing bags to the boats so the waste can be easily collected and deposited on the quayside.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead highlighted the excellent work KIMO UK and Scottish fishermen are undertaking to clean up seas by launching the new Fishing For Litter 2008 – 11 Scotland project.
Scotland’s fishermen, who take part in the project voluntarily, are already reporting the benefits of fishing in cleaner seas having removed 117 tonnes of litter from the seabed. The successful project has been operating in a network of 15 harbours in different parts of Scotland allowing the 110 registered fishing vessels to land and collect new bags since 2005.
The project benefits both the environment and the fishing industry. Litter causes problems to wildlife such as seabirds, through entanglement and swallowing and marine debris can damage fishing gear and catches.
Joanna Strathdee KIMO UK Chair said:
“We are delighted that the project is receiving such high profile recognition and we hope that this project, pioneered by Scottish Fishermen, can become a UK wide funded project in the future.”
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
“As the Scottish Government prepares to launch its landmark Marine Bill next year, it is absolutely vital that we have cleaner, greener seas. Fishing for Litter is an imaginative yet simple initiative, successfully reducing marine litter with the involvement of the fishing industry. I am very pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to support the project. I wish it every success for the future.” .
The North Sea Directorate of the Dutch Government in co-operation with the Dutch Fisheries Association originally started the Fishing for Litter concept in March 2000. The aim of the initiative was to clear the North Sea from litter. During the first year of the project (up to March 2001) over 120 tons of litter was collected. The co-operation of the vessels and their crew was on a voluntary basis. KIMO International has since expanded this project to harbours in Scotland, Sweden, Netherlands and Denmark initially as part of the EU Interreg funded Save the North Sea project.
KIMO (Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation) is an association of coastal local authorities whose goal is to eliminate pollution from the Northern Seas. The organisation’s members include 120 local authorities representing Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Faeroe Islands, the Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the Isle of Man. KIMO UK is the United Kingdom network of the organisation and has a Secretariat based in the Shetland Isles.
