Photo: bdi Comunicacion

The 'Redes de España' Project to Develop a Groundbreaking Regulation Ensuring Proper Management and Reuse of Fishing Gear Waste

SPAIN
Friday, January 10, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Aiming to recover at least 100 tons of discarded nets and fishing gear by January 2026, the initiative will establish a national certification to guarantee sustainable management and recycling practices.

A multisectoral committee has identified key processes such as collection, treatment, and recovery to ensure the return of these materials to the market with sustainability standards. The initiative will also prioritize inclusive and effective implementation.

Madrid – The "Redes de España" project, aimed at recovering discarded fishing nets and gear from Spain’s fishing sector to promote a circular economy, is working to develop a regulatory framework that ensures sustainable management and traceability throughout the transformation process. This effort will culminate in a national certification that validates these practices.

The project is part of the Pleamar program, an initiative by the Fundación Biodiversidad of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO), and will run until 2026. Its objective is to recover at least 100 tons of nets and fishing gear while incorporating communication, training, and awareness campaigns to engage society in the transition to a more sustainable economy.

The regulation under development will define key processes, including the collection and treatment of fishing nets and gear, as well as their recovery as reusable materials, ensuring their market return under sustainability criteria. The multisectoral committee, which has made significant progress toward this goal, held its latest meeting on December 18, where final considerations were debated by the group of experts.

Key Players in Sustainable Fishing Gear Management

The multisectoral committee includes representatives from critical sectors involved in sustainable fishing gear management. These include:

• Fishing Industry: Represented by the Spanish Confederation of Fisheries (CEPESCA) and the National Federation of Fishermen’s Guilds (FNCP).
• Port Authorities: Including AP Vigo.
• Suppliers and Recyclers: Such as Grupo Eurored.
• Certification Bodies: Including AENOR.
• Research and Valorization Entities: Such as CTAG and Fish and Food Technology, tasked with exploring new applications and uses for recycled materials.
• Administrative Bodies: Such as Fundación Biodiversidad.
• Social Organizations: Like WWF, leading efforts in environmental awareness.

Project Objectives and Outcomes

The primary goals include ensuring the regulation is inclusive, feasible, and adaptable, as well as subject to continuous review and improvement. Based on these objectives, the project consortium will:

1. Design an Efficient and Sustainable Collection System: For discarded fishing nets and gear, meeting sustainability criteria at every stage.
2. Promote Industry Coordination: Encouraging sector operators to progressively adopt the certification system to ensure the project’s positive impact.

The "Redes de España" initiative represents a collective effort to tackle the environmental challenges posed by fishing gear waste. Beyond protecting marine ecosystems, it contributes to the circular economy by integrating recycled materials into industries such as automotive, shipbuilding, and aerospace.

Leadership and Funding

The project is led by CEPESCA in partnership with FNCP and the Galician Automotive Technology Center (CTAG). It also collaborates with the Spanish Technology Platform for Fisheries and Aquaculture (PTEPA) and the AMICOS Association.

“This project is developed with the collaboration of the Fundación Biodiversidad under the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge through the Pleamar Program and co-financed by the European Union through the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).”

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