Empowering fishers to tackle marine pollution: NETTAG+ solutions

Every year, tons of fishing gear are discarded to the ocean globally, inflicting severe threats to marine habitats and wildlife, while causing economic damage to the fishing sector. The timely tracking and recovery of lost fishing gear can minimize this risk, help preserve our oceans and boost the fishing sector. Modern fishing gear, primarily composed of non-biodegradable plastics, if abandoned, lost or discarded (ALDFG) persist in marine environments, and contribute to marine pollution, with several harmful impacts, such as ghost fishing, habitat degradation, and microplastic release. In this presentation we will explain how the NETTAG+ project, aligned with SDG 14.1, the NETTAG+ is developing innovative, sustainable solutions to manage and mitigate the adverse effects of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). In collaboration with the fishing industry, scientists, and NGOs, NETTAG+ focuses on three core areas: i) preventing marine litter derived from fisheries, organizing several awareness actions from fishers to fishers; ii) avoiding the loss of fishing gear, through the development of technology for fishing gear location with acoustic tags; and iii) mitigating the existing ALDFG by development of technology for detection and removal of ALDFG. These solutions collectively aim to reduce the release of microplastics and harmful chemicals in marine ecosystems, while minimizing the occurrence and impact of ghost gear through advanced tracking and retrieval technologies. The NETTAG+ project follows the approach “from fishers to fishers”, where fishers associations/representatives, which are partners of the Consortium, are organizing awareness activities for their associates to promote best practices regarding litter management fostering the prevention of litter produced by the fisheries sector. Moreover, fishers are actively involved in the development of the solutions, including the technological solutions. This collaboration fosters ownership and enhances the likelihood of influencing behavioural changes among fishers, ultimately facilitating the achievement of our project objectives. Through the active involvement of fishing communities, NETTAG+ project strives to transform the role of the fishing sector in environmental preservation, empowering fishers to take proactive responsibility in combating marine pollution. This paradigm shift recognizes fishers as essential stewards of sustainable marine practices, contributing to a cleaner, more resilient Ocean in line with the global conservation goals.