THE COST of litter for coastal communities and marine industries has risen significantly in the last ten years, according to a new report.
KIMO international, the organisation behind the Fishing For Litter Project, conducted a two-year research programme, Economic Impacts of Marine Litter.
It revealed that in some cases costs have risen by as much as 83 per cent, placing an unnecessary burden on those who live by, or make their living from, the sea.
The research in coastal communities throughout the North East Atlantic region focused on how marine litter affects key industries that rely on the marine environment, such as aqua-culture, fisheries, harbours, marinas, municipalities, rescue services and voluntary organisations.
Sacks
The Fishing For Litter Project, administered locally by Seafood Cornwall Training and supported by Cornwall Council, provides dedicated sacks and waste collection facilities in six fishing ports across the region, making it easy for skippers to collect the litter caught in their nets.
The project co-ordinates and covers all the costs involved with the disposal of the waste once it is brought ashore. So far, more than 80 fishing vessels from Newlyn, Brixham, Plymouth, Looe, Newquay and Appledore have signed up to the scheme and work is under way to recover as much marine litter as possible.
Sarah Crosbie, project coordinator for the South West, said: "We are seeing some significant tonnages coming ashore in Newlyn where the scheme has been gaining momentum since its launch last year. Vessels working out of Brixham and Plymouth have recently been approached to join the scheme and feedback to date has been very positive."
Fishing For Litter South West is part of a much larger network of schemes currently in operation across Northern Europe with fishermen from Scotland, the Netherlands and Denmark all doing their bit.
The co-operation of the skippers and their crew is without financial compensation.
A positive, modern attitude towards good operating practice is the motivation to participate.
Paul Trebilcock, chief executive of the Cornish Fish Producers' Organisation – a non-profit making co-operative consisting of 210 fishing vessel owners – said: "Fishing for Litter is an important initiative that all fishermen should be keen to be involved in.
'Custodians'
"Many fishermen consider themselves custodians of the marine environment and Fishing for Litter enables them to safely and conveniently recover all types of marine debris encountered at sea.
"It is a high priority for us at the CFPO to encourage all of our members (as well as those not in membership) to get involved in this excellent and worthwhile project."
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