1
Quote
A PROJECT involving 162 fishing vessels from 17 Scottish harbours has ensured that over 242 tonnes of rubbish has been taken from the seas since 2008.
The Fishing for Litter initiative, run by KIMO with funding support from the public and private sectors, aims to remove litter from the sea and encourage better waste management in the fishing industry.
Scotland's fishermen, who take part in the project voluntarily, are already reporting the benefits of fishing in cleaner seas according to the clean-up’s backers.
KIMO estimates that marine litter costs the Scottish fleet 11.5 million pounds each year – in repairs to gear, dumped or contaminated catch and lost fishing time – which equates to around 16,000 pounds for each skipper.
Monitoring has revealed that 50 per cent of litter landed was plastic and polystyrene.
KIMO UK project co-ordinator Tom Piper said:"Marine litter has become an increasing problem in our seas and can be very harmful to marine life. It also has implications for fishermen, damaging fishing gear and contaminating fish.
"With over 200 tonnes of rubbish removed in three years, Fishing for Litter has been a success. However, this could not have been achieved without the participation of Scottish fishermen, therefore I thank all the crew members of the boats and the harbour staff who continue to volunteer their own time to clear the seas of litter."
Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead added:"Fishing for Litter is a straight forward and effective way to remove litter from the sea and its success is down to the active participation of the fishing industry and Scottish harbours. In tough financial times for the Scottish fleet, the cost implications of marine waste demonstrate why we need to take action to remove litter from our seas.
"I'm pleased that the Scottish Government have been able to provide 80,000 pounds to help support the scheme, including 10,000 pounds towards the continuation of the Fishing for Litter project until 2014."
* KIMO (Kommunenes Internasjonale Miljøorganisasjon) is an international environmental organisation founded by local authorities with a shared interest in safeguarding the marine environment of the North Sea. Find out more about KIMO and the Fishing for Litter project at: http://www.fishingfo...g/Scotland.aspx
The Fishing for Litter initiative, run by KIMO with funding support from the public and private sectors, aims to remove litter from the sea and encourage better waste management in the fishing industry.
Scotland's fishermen, who take part in the project voluntarily, are already reporting the benefits of fishing in cleaner seas according to the clean-up’s backers.
KIMO estimates that marine litter costs the Scottish fleet 11.5 million pounds each year – in repairs to gear, dumped or contaminated catch and lost fishing time – which equates to around 16,000 pounds for each skipper.
Monitoring has revealed that 50 per cent of litter landed was plastic and polystyrene.
KIMO UK project co-ordinator Tom Piper said:"Marine litter has become an increasing problem in our seas and can be very harmful to marine life. It also has implications for fishermen, damaging fishing gear and contaminating fish.
"With over 200 tonnes of rubbish removed in three years, Fishing for Litter has been a success. However, this could not have been achieved without the participation of Scottish fishermen, therefore I thank all the crew members of the boats and the harbour staff who continue to volunteer their own time to clear the seas of litter."
Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead added:"Fishing for Litter is a straight forward and effective way to remove litter from the sea and its success is down to the active participation of the fishing industry and Scottish harbours. In tough financial times for the Scottish fleet, the cost implications of marine waste demonstrate why we need to take action to remove litter from our seas.
"I'm pleased that the Scottish Government have been able to provide 80,000 pounds to help support the scheme, including 10,000 pounds towards the continuation of the Fishing for Litter project until 2014."
* KIMO (Kommunenes Internasjonale Miljøorganisasjon) is an international environmental organisation founded by local authorities with a shared interest in safeguarding the marine environment of the North Sea. Find out more about KIMO and the Fishing for Litter project at: http://www.fishingfo...g/Scotland.aspx
