Project Aim
To reduce plastic in the ocean as it threatens sea life and marine habitats. It is estimated that 80% of waste at sea is plastic.
Our Methods
- BIM provides vessels with large heavy duty bags to collect marine litter caught in their nets
- When full, these bags are deposited safely on the quayside where BIM works with port authorities to organise appropriate disposal of the material.
When full, the bags are deposited on the quayside
Alan Smith, skipper of the Celtic Warrior, explains his participating on the Scheme. The Clogherhead vessel, is currently fishing in the Irish Sea.
‘We have the Fishing for Litter bag set near the conveyor and it’s easy for the crew to pick out the marine litter and throw it in the bag as they pick out the catch. We work with the Clogherhead Development Group in keeping the pier tidy and are happy to do our part, keeping not only the sea, but our fishing grounds clean and healthy'.
The local Clogherhead Razor Fishery fleet are also taking part in the BIM scheme.
Going forward
BIM aims to build on this pilot initiative to 50 vessels. The scheme is aready active and highly successful in the UK and Scotland and underpins EU legislation supporting the protection and sustainable use of the marine environment (Marine Strategy Framework Directive).
Fishermen working out of Clogherhead , Union Hall and Castletownbere wishing to join the pilot scheme should contact Catherine Barrett , BIM Project Officer on barrett@bim.ie or 087 2897651.