Partners in the Fising for Litter initiative are calling on fishermen to help reduce North Sea marine littering by bringing ashore litter gathered in their nets while fishing. All litter is later disposed of in an environmental-appropriate way. Fishing For Litter is co-ordinated by KIMO International and promotes a responsible attitude within the fishing industry towards this problem.
Promote responsible disposal Fishing for Litter is an activity where fishing vessels bring ashore litter caught in their nets. The aim is to promote a responsible disposal of litter. A positive attitude towards good and sustainable working practice gives the inspiration to participate. Apart from collecting the litter, the project aims at highlightning the problem of marine litter within and outside the fishing industry. Damages to fishing gear As well as helping the environment and benefiting all those using the North Sea for either work or pleasure, the fishing industry in particular will benefit from the initiative through the reduced risks of damages to fishing gear and contamination of catches. 400 tonnes and 54 boats 400 tonnes of litter have been collected by the 54 boats involved in the initative which is run in the Shetland Islands (UK), Hvide Sande (Denmark), Vlissingen , Stellendam, Breskens, Den Helder (Netherlands), Smögen (Sweden) and Peterhead (UK). Benifits everyone – Fishing for Litter is a simple and effective way to work with the fishing industry and will benefit all those using the North Sea and UK beaches as well as having a positive financial impact on the UK fishing industry due to a reduction in the amount of marine litter, says John Mouat, Save the North Sea Project Co-ordinator for KIMO.		In Lerwick harbour, from left: Rick Nickerson, KIMO Int’l, Hansen Black, Chief Executive at Shetland Fishermen’s Association, John Mouat, SNS co-ordinator, and Ewan Anderson, fisherman.   Danish fishermen participating in the activity in Hvide Sande. Photo Claus Jacobsen