Seafish launches survey on end-of-life issues for fishing and aquaculture gear

Seafish, the public body which supports the UK seafood industry, has launched end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear surveys to help minimise waste and encourage greater recycling.

When fishing and aquaculture gear reaches the end of its life, it becomes difficult to manage sustainably, due to the cost and complexity of disassembling, and the current low value of the recovered materials means much if it ends up in landfill.

To help understand what steps could be taken to help drive greater sustainable resource management, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has asked Seafish to speak with the entire gear supply chain including manufacturers / assemblers, fishing vessel owners and skippers, aquaculture businesses, ports / harbours and waste management companies.

Seafish’s researchers will interview supply chain stakeholders to glean important insights, including where gear is manufactured and assembled, the types of materials used, the average lifespan and what happens once the gear reaches the end of its useable life.

The research aims to create a better understanding of how waste can be reduced and where further support is needed around collection and recycling to help work towards a more circular economy.

Jennifer Robson, Seafish’s Head of Economics, Insight and Advice, said: “These surveys are an opportunity for organisations and stakeholders across the supply chain to have their voice heard on how gear is currently managed, including recycling, once it’s reached the end-of-life.

“By completing these surveys, you could help shape future policies on how to responsibly manage and recycle end-of-life fishing and aquaculture gear.”

The surveys will be conducted in person at ports and harbours, and other sites around the UK.

Telephone, postal and online surveys of foreign manufacturers and waste management companies are scheduled too.

Seafish has invited anyone involved in fish or aquaculture, or with expertise on this issues, to take part in the survey by contacting EOLFG.survey@seafish.co.uk.

The organisation said the information provided in the survey will be kept strictly confidential and only anonymised results and findings will be used.

Researchers will be visiting locations across the UK on specific dates.

The survey started in Northern Ireland at the end of July with relevant organisations invited to email the survey address to participate.

Key dates:

Researcher Rebecca Spain will visit Essex and Kent week beginning 05/08; North Wales 12/08; South Wales 19/08; Dorset 26/08; Devon 02/09 and Cornwall 09/09.

To arrange to speak to Rebecca on one of these dates please email rebecca.spain@seafish.co.uk.

Lily Copping will visit Kyle of Lochalsh – Badluarach from 12/08; Shetland 19/08; East Central Scotland 26/08; Port Appin – Mallaig 02/09 and Argyll and Bute and Isle of Jura / Islay 09/09.

Contact lily.copping@seafish.co.uk to speak with Lily during one of these visits.

Joe Vince will visit Ullapool – Skerray from 12/08; Outer Hebrides 19/08; Lothian and Borders 26/08; Argyll and Bute and Isle of Mull on 02/09 and Isle of Skye on 09/09.

Email joe.vince@seafish.co.uk to arrange to speak with Joe during these periods.

Two further weeks of survey work have been scheduled for the end of September with locations yet to be decided.