MARELITT: Recycling of fishing nets

Illegally disposed of or lost fishing nets that drift in the sea or lie on the seabed are[1] called "ghost nets". Animals can get caught in them and die. In addition, ghost nets, which are usually made of various plastics, are a source of microplastics and are a danger to marine ecosystems. The recycling of ghost nets as well as discarded fishing nets[2] and other fishing gear has so far been a logistical and process-related challenge. On behalf of the WWF Germany, Fraunhofer UMSICHT has conducted a[3] study within the MARELITT Baltic project[4], how the recycling of ghost nets as well as discarded fishing nets can be organized in the Baltic Sea region.

Fishing nets are mainly made of plastic, especially polyamide (nylon), but other types of polymers are also used in the production of trawls and gillnets, which makes the nets tear-resistant and durable. If abandoned nets drift in the sea, animals can get caught in them. Nets can also pose a danger to shipping and are a source of microplastics in the aquatic ecosystem.  An important aspect in solving this problem is the establishment of a recycling chain for both discarded fishing nets and recovered ghost nets. In the medium term, coordinated collection and logistics in the Baltic Sea region should facilitate the recycling of discarded net material and ensure the orderly disposal of recovered ghost nets.

The UMSICHT study was to investigate which conditions are necessary with regard to logistics and recycling infrastructure in order to be able to supply collected fishing gear to a closed-loop and waste management system on a long-term and secure basis. For this purpose, the German Baltic Sea region with transferability potential to other countries bordering the Baltic Sea was examined. Existing information and experiences of the partner countries of the MARELITT Baltic project were used as a basis. First, a volume estimate of EOL and ALDFG was made. Subsequently, possible logistic requirements, such as the collection and collection of the material in connection with processing and recycling paths were linked. With the help of expert interviews along the possible value chain the challenges were discussed, evaluated and classified. A decentralized and a centralized approach to recycling were compared. Mapping using geographic information systems (GIS) enabled a precise local and regional consideration of the options in the German Baltic Sea region based on the existing transport and recycling infrastructure.

In the project, a large number of actors from affected EU countries along the process chain could be interviewed, so that a clear picture of the status quo of the recycling or disposal of EOL and ALDFG resulted and the work of the EU Interreg project MARELITT Baltic could be meaningfully supplemented. Result: The collection of net material is mainly done by fisheries and ports. The disposal routes are very different in the partner countries. They range from simple disposal by landfill to collection and pre-sorting in the port with subsequent fine sorting in a sorting plant. Most often, the nets are disposed of with commercial waste. In small fishing ports, salvaged and discarded net materials are collected in residual waste garbage cans and disposed of with household waste. The classical disposal routes are flanked by initiatives (e.g. FF Norden) and NGO offers. The GIS-based analysis has shown that an orderly recycling of materials and energy is possible in the Baltic Sea region, but that this requires intelligent logistics.

The study's recommendations include the involvement of all actors along the process chain, targeted collection with monetary incentives, the provision of a disposal infrastructure and the establishment of a deposit and return system. Further results can be read online in the report.

_{[1] Engl. Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG)
[2] End-of-Life Fishing Gear (EOL)
[3] Study as part of the MARELITT Baltic project: Recycling of Abandoned, Lost and Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) and End-of-Life Fishing Gear (EOL): Sub-studies on logistics requirements and economic viability, R. Bertling, J. Nühlen, Fraunhofer UMSICHT Oberhausen, March 2019
[4] https://www.marelittbaltic.eu/}