Wales is taking action against marine waste with a recycling scheme for fishing gear.
Recycling bins for used fishing gear have been placed at Swansea, Milford Haven, Fishguard, Cardigan, Conwy, Anglesey and Holyhead harbours. These were filled to the brim with fishing nets, ropes and buoys, which will be shredded and turned into pellets, before being re-used to produce kayaks, bodyboards or in street furniture.
The Welsh Government is working with Odyssey Innovation Ltd, creators of the Net Regeneration Scheme and collectors of the marine refuse, as well as partners in the fishing industry, Surfers against Sewage and Keep Wales Tidy to create the scheme.
‘The Net Regeneration Scheme has only been made possible through collaboration, primarily between the fishing sector and conservation groups, supported by universities and the government,’ said Rob Thompson, managing director at Odyssey Innovation.
‘This collaborative project between us, the Welsh Government and fishing communities will showcase best practice in a sector where it is immensely needed and the quality of our seas and the aquatic flora and fauna within it will also benefit tremendously.’
‘We have supported this project from the outset,’ commented Marion Warlow of the Welsh Fisherman’s Association – Cymdeithas Pysgotwyr Cymru (WFA-CPC).
‘Together with Odyssey Innovation, port authorities, local authorities and community groups, fishermen and women have engaged with the pilot project team to recycle and regenerate end of life fishing gear and hard plastics. We very much hope that the experience learned during this pilot will ensure a long-term sustainable expansion of the service to all ports and harbours in Wales, significantly reducing our collective reliance on landfill in the future.’
