Reduction of Microplastics in the Oceans:
Scientists and Fishermen Test Biodegradable Fishing Nets in Hirtshals
Fishing is a source of plastic waste in the oceans, partly due to lost or damaged fishing nets that are typically made of nylon or other strong plastic materials, which can eventually become microplastics. However, biodegradable materials can be part of the solution to less polluting fishing nets. Therefore, Port of Hirtshals is participating in a six-year research project where the fishing nets are being tested both by the fishermen and on the seabed.
Fishing and aquaculture account for 27 percent of marine litter, according to the European Parliament, which is why the EU is urging the acceleration of the development of a circular economy in the sector, including increased recycling and more sustainable materials in fishing. This is part of the reason why Port of Hirtshals is contributing in various ways to the testing of biodegradable fishing nets in and around the port.
In the BIOGARN project, funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and the Danish Fisheries Agency, researchers from DTU Aqua have gone on fishing trips with several local fishermen to test biodegradable nets made of PBSAT polymer, a thermoplastic biodegradable plastic type, for cod and plaice fishing.
- The biodegradable fishing nets are produced in Asia and are therefore primarily adapted to the Asian climate, which differs significantly from European and especially Scandinavian conditions. It is crucial to test which biodegradable materials are suitable for these waters. Fortunately, the fishermen in Hirtshals have been very interested in helping us understand their needs, explains Esther Savina, a researcher at DTU Aqua in Hirtshals.
- For us as fishermen, it is essential that the nets can withstand the somewhat rough work that fishing entails. The nets we have tested so far are not as durable as traditional nylon nets, but we are pleased to contribute our knowledge and experience regarding what biodegradable fishing nets need to be capable of. We can only solve the problem with the nets if it makes practical and economic sense in everyday life, explains Niels Kristian Nielsen, chairman of the Hirtshals Fishermen's Association.
Fishing nets that are damaged or lost at sea risk continuing to fish, causing so-called ghost fishing. This is why the Dsolve project, which is funded by Norway and led by UiT The Arctic University of Norway, is testing the degradation time of fishing nets placed on the seabed in Port of Hirtshals.
- There is a significant difference in both temperatures and bacteria in European waters, so it is important to understand how biodegradable nets behave in different locations and how quickly the nets degrade. We are also testing in Germany, Croatia, and Norway, as well as in Denmark, specifically in Hirtshals. So far, the nets are not degrading as quickly as expected, but we are gaining valuable insights into what characterizes a good fishing net, which can contribute to the development of less environmentally harmful and highly functional nets in the long run, explains Rikke Petri Frandsen, a lecturer at DTU Aqua in Hirtshals.
For Port of Hirtshals, it makes good sense to get involved in the effort to reduce plastic waste from fishing nets in the oceans:
- Marine litter from fishing is a huge challenge that, of course, cannot be solved overnight. But if we can somehow contribute to understanding what is needed to reduce plastic pollution in our seas—such as by testing different types of fishing nets on the seabed or with the fishermen—we are more than happy to do so, says Per Holm Nørgaard, CEO of Port of Hirtshals.