Fishing for Litter

BIM’s Fishing for Litter initiative simply encourages fishermen to take ashore the litter they encounter at sea while fishing.

Fishing for Litter Fishing for Litter

12

Operates in 12 ports

244

Boats/vessels involved

1,169

Crew members participating

409

Tonnes of litter retrieved

 

BIM’s Fishing for Litter initiative simply encourages fishermen to take ashore the litter they encounter at sea while fishing.

As part of the wider Clean Oceans Initiative BIM is encouraging every fishing trawler working from Ireland’s 12 main fishing ports to join for the Fishing for Litter initiative. By year-end 2019, 95% of these trawlers were registered members of the scheme.

Established in 2015 the initiative is supported under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

 

Project Aim

This national initiative helps to address the serious problem of plastic in the ocean as it threatens sea life and marine habitats.

Our methods

  • BIM provides participating fishermen with large hardwearing bags to keep on-board their vessels, with the intention that any marine litter brought up in their hauls will be kept in the bag rather than discarded back into the sea.
  • When full, bags are landed on the quayside where they are moved into a designated skip by harbour staff­.
  • BIM works with port authorities to ensure the appropriate disposal of the material brought in by vessels.
  • BIM is conducting a sampling programme to monitor and record the marine litter. The types of marine litter collected at sea give us an idea of the sea or land-based sources, geographical origin and potential pathway into the sea. This is an important reason the FFL waste is kept separate from other waste.

BIM is working with industry to

  • Investigate and support ways to reduce the seafood sector being a source of marine litter. Improve on-board waste management practices whilst out at sea.
  • Increase awareness amongst the fishing industry about the impact of marine litter on the marine environment.
  • Collectively share and report the commitments of the catching sector to support marine litter reduction.

Skipper Details

Invalid characters detected.
Please enter valid email address.
Please enter valid phone number.
Please enter valid phone number.

Vessel Details

Invalid characters detected.
Please enter valid number.
Please enter valid number.
Please verify the captcha.

Your submission was successful, thank you!

Contact Us

Fisheries Development Officer

Catherine Barrett

012144251
+353 (0)87 2897651