Net cuttings waste from fishing in the North-East Atlantic: best practices for mitigation. A report for OSPAR Action 36: to develop best practice in the fishing industry.

Abstract

The issue of pollution from waste net cuttings needs to be addressed. These small items, found in abundance on shores and in the marine environment, cause harm to marine wildlife through ingestion and entanglement and to our fishing industry through damage to fishing gear. Simple, effective solutions can be implemented by fishers and port authorities to collect and contain pieces of net, rope and cord before they are washed to sea. Mitigation requires awareness raising within the industry and engagement by fishers and harbour authorities to modify existing work practices and use methods and tools to better manage cuttings waste. On behalf of the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, KIMO International conducted a survey of harbour authorities and fishers from four countries in the North Sea region in order to explore challenges and solutions to reducing the volume of waste net cuttings from the fishing industry that end up in the sea. This report presents an analysis of background research and of the results from the survey, including feedback gained through face to face interviews. Information was gathered about the sources of net cuttings and practices that mitigate inputs to the marine environment. Fishers and harbour authorities contributed valuable information about current work practices, attitudes towards disposal of cuttings, and evaluation of remedial measures. Recommendations for next steps for national governments, ports and fishers are also provided in the report. The surveys, a best practices guide and a set of awareness-raising materials have been developed to accompany this report. It is our hope that these will be widely circulated and used to raise awareness in the OSPAR maritime area, and in any area where commercial fishing activities take place, thus preventing further inputs of waste net cuttings into our marine environment.