140 VESSELS
13 PORTS
644 TONNES OF RUBBISH REMOVED FROM THE OCEAN IN 2020
KIMO NETHERLANDS AND BELGIUM
BACKGROUND
Fishing for Litter in the Netherlands started with a pilot project in 2001. At that time 10 ships in the port of Den Helder participated. Over the last twenty years the fleet has increased to 140 vessels. Together, they have collected thousands of tonnes of marine litter.
The project is very much supported by the fishermen. The fishermen who fish langoustines were the first participants. They sail about 160 miles into the North Sea. These fishermen bring a lot of waste back to port. Participation in Fishing for Litter means they clean up their fishing area without additional costs. The waste they bring to port is not fished again.
Martien Keppel, Harbourmaster Den Oever
THE FUTURE
In 2021 Fishing for Litter will celebrate 20 years of working for cleaner seas in the Netherlands. KIMO Netherlands and Belgium will continue to:
- Improve the Fishing for Litter scheme
- Develop their waste management manuals for all fishing ports
- Promote the recycling of Fishing for Litter waste
