More than 15 tonnes of end-of-life fishing gear has been
recycled since 2023 through Wales' pioneering nationwide
recycling initiative, helping protect marine environments and
boost recycling rates.
Deputy First Minister with Responsibility for Climate Change and
Rural Affairs, , today visited a collection station in
Aberystwyth to see firsthand how the End of Life (EoL) Fishing
Gear Scheme is transforming waste management in coastal
communities.
The scheme, a partnership between Welsh Government and Odyssey
Innovation Ltd, provides dedicated collection points at harbours
across Wales where fishers can dispose of used nets, ropes, buoys
and other plastic fishing equipment for recycling.
Speaking at the Aberystwyth collection site, Deputy First
Minister said: "This remains the only truly nationwide
scheme of its kind in the UK, bringing in an additional resource
for a previously untapped source of material and supports our aim
to become the best recycling nation in the world."
Fishing gear is estimated to make up 20% of all marine litter and
was the third most commonly found item in last year's Great
British Beach Clean survey in Wales, accounting for 14% of litter
found on Welsh beaches.
The initiative has already expanded to ten harbours across Wales,
with smaller ports along the Cardigan Bay coastline showing
particularly strong engagement with the scheme.
Materials collected are graded for quality and transformed into
various products including council street furniture, plant
containers and road materials, while nets and ropes are processed
in Denmark and turned into canoes, kayaks and the innovative
‘Scuttle the Cuttle' microplastic catching scoop, all for resale
in the UK. Scuttle the Cuttle is aimed at young people and
community groups for collecting fragments of plastic, including
fishing gear - which constitutes a significant amount of
microplastics in our environment – whilst showcasing how
circularity of fishing gear can be achieved.
Rob Thompson from Odyssey Innovation, which operates the Net
Regeneration Scheme that collects the marine refuse, said: "This
recycling initiative stands as a prime example of how
collaborative efforts between various entities can effectively
foster a circular economy.
“The enthusiastic participation of fishermen in recycling their
gear has been absolutely essential to the scheme's success.
“Equally vital has been the Welsh Government's support, which has
made it viable to develop these recycling schemes and engage with
our industry partners and innovations that utilise the material
and reintroduce it into the economy. Ultimately, collaboration is
key to achieving our shared environmental goals."
Jim Evans from the Welsh Fisherman's Association said: “We have
supported the ‘End of Life' fishing gear recycling scheme from
the outset.
“Fundamental to the successes of the scheme to date has been the
collaborations established since the initial pilot project.
“Importantly, the fantastic voluntary efforts by fishermen and
women in Wales who have, and continue, to make a difference by
significantly reducing reliance on landfill.
“Our hope remains that through this scheme a long-term
sustainable service can be extended to all ports and harbours
throughout Wales.”
Notes to editors
- The End of Life fishing gear collection and recycling scheme
began as a pilot in 2021 before expanding in 2023
- Abandoned, Discarded or Lost Fishing Gear (ADLFG) causes
numerous environmental issues including marine entanglement
- The Welsh Government is working with partners including
Surfers against Sewage and Keep Wales Tidy on the initiative
