South Africa’s first harbour-based fishing net recycling project has completed a successful first year of operation, recycling nearly 25 tonnes of end-of-life fishing net collected from local fishing companies.
Based at Collier Jetty in the V&A Waterfront, the project is backed by the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) and funded through the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC’s) Ocean Stewardship Fund.
Between 3rd September 2025 and 31st August this year, the project collected end-of-life fishing net from three companies, Oceana, I&J and Sea Harvest, making a combined total of just under 25 tonnes. Of this, 19,928.33kg has already been recycled into flakes. Production has picked up significantly, pushing flake production above five tonnes in March for the first time.
‘This figure is proof of the commitment of the three companies, as well as the determination shown by Bukiwe Tshetsha-Mndayi of Mtubana Networks Recyclers,’ said Estelle van der Merwe, Managing Director of OCEAN Action Network, which initiated and manages the project.
‘This first year has taught me patience, determination, leadership and, most importantly, resilience. I have learned that building something meaningful does not happen overnight,’ Bukiwe Tshetsha-Mndayi said.
SADSTIA’s support and MSC funding have underpinned the project since its launch in May 2025. A key milestone came on 31st July 2025, when two shipping containers – one of which was donated by Container World and offloaded with crane and rigging services donated by Industrial Rigging Solutions – were delivered to Collier Jetty to house an on-site micro-recycling plant and a storage facility for nets awaiting processing.
The recycling plant began operating in September 2025, making it the first facility of its kind in South Africa.
The plant uses on-site equipment to shred end-of-life fishing nets, turning them into reusable plastic materials. This reduces landfill waste, helps prevent pollution and supports a circular economy within the fishing industry, offering a scalable model for tackling marine plastic waste.
The project has benefited from the support of the V&A Waterfront, which has donated water, electricity, use of the Cruise Terminal forklift and a lease for the project’s premises.
OCEAN Action Network is exploring new markets and buyers for the recycled net flakes with a view to increasing revenue.
