In 2004 KIMO International started a simple yet imaginative project to tackle the problem of marine litter. Fishing for Litter  aims to reduce marine litter by involving one of the key stakeholders, the fishing industry. Fishing boats are given large bags to collect the plastics, ghost gear and other debris that gathers in their nets during normal fishing activities. When the fishing boats come into port, they can unload the bags of litter. These bags are collected regularly and the rubbish is recycled or disposed of on land. All the fishermen who participate in the project are volunteers. On a daily basis, they are out at sea removing rubbish from the ocean.

Result? Cleaner seas, cleaner beaches and a healthier marine environment.

The Fishing for Litter project runs in many countries across Europe:

From its humble beginnings at a single port in the Netherlands, Fishing for Litter has spread across Europe. OSPAR  endorses Fishing for Litter and encourages its 15 member countries to adopt Fishing for Litter programmes as part of its Regional Action Plan against marine litter. The EU’s revised Port Reception Facilities Directive will make specific provision for Fishing for Litter waste in order to encourage more vessels and more harbours to take part. All of  which is good news for our seas! To learn more about the individual projects, follow the links below:

Are you the skipper of a fishing vessel? Would you like to help us create a healthier marine environment. Then please join the Fishing for Litter scheme by completing the registration form below.

(If there is no scheme currently operative in your area, please still register your vessel. If enough vessels from a particular harbour show an interest in joining Fishing for Litter, we can approach the port authority to explore options for setting up a new scheme).