No more haunting by ‘ghost nets’: bio-based and biodegradable nets could be the solution.

Celebrating European Maritime Day (20 May 2021), SEALIVE partners, AKTI and ISOTECH, based in Paphos, Cyprus organised a clean-up operation to collect ghost fishing nets and derelict fishing gear from the local seabed.

The event organised in cooperation with local organisations, the Paphos Fishermen Association and the diving organisation, CYDIVE, highlighted the issue of ‘ghost nets’ and SEALIVE’s work to address this.

“Ghost nets” are nets that have been either accidentally or deliberately lost, abandoned or discarded in the marine environment. While these nets, and other derelict or abandoned fishing gear, no longer serve any purpose for the fishing industry, the nets continue to entangle fish and other marine animals. This can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems. SEALIVE is working to address these issues by developing bio-based fishing nets made from green alternative materials such as micro-algae.

In compliance with Covid-19 restrictions, ten local stakeholders were invited to participate in the day’s activities. Commenting on the event, Ms. Anna Tselepou, representing AKTI, said “We are proud to work with our local and international partners to develop better, more sustainable ways of protecting our oceans. Fishing has always been important to Cyprus and we are working to enable and support our fishermen to move to more environmentally friendly practices that will protect our marine heritage for generations to come.”

Read the full press release here!

Published 20/05/2021 | Last edited 20/05/2021

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