Developing a Circular Economy for Fishing Gear in Wales and South West (SW)

Abstract

The Net Regeneration Scheme to Offer Free Recycling of Fishing Gear to the Welsh Fishing Community - The Net Regeneration Scheme is the first of its kind and has seen fishermen in the UK’s South West region recycle a wide array of fishing gear for free over the past 6 years. So far, the scheme has recovered and recycled over 200,000 kilograms of fishing gear. -The Net Regeneration Scheme, one of 3 recycling schemes offered by Odyssey Innovation is aimed at harbours, fishermen, fisheries and net makers across the UK and aims to promote behavioural change by supporting stakeholders through offering preventative measures in order for them to be part of the solution to cleaner and safer seas - The Welsh government along with Odyssey Innovation Ltd. will be implementing a small-scale replica of the Net Regeneration Scheme to serve as a pilot project focused on creating free port reception facilities in selected Welsh harbours to recycle fishing gear and in doing so will help support the fishing community in tackling marine plastic -The pilot project will also be engaging with several Welsh stakeholders such as fishing gear manufacturers, charities and beach-clean communities to maximise the benefit of the scheme to the local community and environment -Part of the ocean-bound plastic coming through this scheme is then processed to be used by Odyssey innovation’s own award-winning eco-friendly products, the latest of which is a body surfing handplane. -Participating harbours are Milford Haven, Fishguard, Cardigan, Amlwch and Holyhead; members of the community include Surfers Against Sewage and Keep Wales Tidy amongst others (tbc).