Development of biodegradable fishing nets offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic-based nets.
Related REMEDIES Pillars: Prevention & Zero-Waste Solutions
Partner(s)/Owner(s): Cittadini, Next Technology Tecnotessile
Other Partners Involved: National Research Council, Bio-Mi, AITIIP – Formulations improvement, University of Maribor – Sustainability Assessment
Made for: Fisheries, boating industry
What are Biodegradable Fishing Nets?
The development of biodegradable fishing nets offers a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic-based nets, addressing the third pillar of the REMEDIES project: the prevention of plastic waste from non-degradable fishing gear. Traditional nets, made from synthetic polymers, persist in marine environments for decades, contributing to pollution and ghost fishing. In contrast, biodegradable nets decompose fully in industrial composting facilities, ensuring that end-of-life nets do not contribute to long-term marine pollution or generate microplastics.
This innovative solution aligns with the REMEDIES goals of valorisation and zero-waste solutions by promoting circular economy practices and enabling the transformation of waste into valuable organic matter. Fishing communities and industries can efficiently recycle these nets, turning waste into a resource and encouraging responsible disposal practices.
Impact: What Challenges Do These Nets Address?
Ghost fishing caused by lost or abandoned synthetic fishing nets is a significant threat to marine ecosystems, trapping marine life and breaking down into harmful microplastics that enter the food chain. Our biodegradable fishing nets aim to eliminate this problem by offering a sustainable alternative that ensures complete degradation in controlled environments, thereby:
- Reducing marine plastic pollution.
- Minimizing microplastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems.
- Supporting a circular economy by enabling composting and recycling.
Fishing communities play a critical role in recovering and composting these nets, reducing landfill burden and mitigating environmental harm.
This solution, will be tested in Sardinia & Cyclades Demo Site, aligns with the third pillar of the REMEDIES program — Prevention and Zero-Waste Solutions.
Unique Value Proposition: What Makes This Technology Stand Out?
Biodegradable fishing nets provide an innovative approach to waste prevention and valorisation. Their unique features include:
- Sustainable End-of-Life Management: Unlike conventional synthetic nets, these nets decompose entirely in industrial composting facilities, preventing plastic waste accumulation.
- High-Performance Design: The nets are crafted using advanced biodegradable polymer formulations.
- Adaptability: Modular production allows customization based on fishing industry needs, offering different mesh sizes, thicknesses, and strength levels.
- Compliance with Environmental Regulations: These nets align with emerging regulatory frameworks pushing for sustainable fishing gear, enabling compliance and reducing environmental impact.
- Circular Economy Integration: The transformation of discarded nets into compost promotes sustainability and contributes to zero-waste goals.
Technical Characteristics:
Biodegradable fishing nets are developed with the following specifications:
- Material Composition: Advanced biodegradable polymer compounds.
- Production Process: Melt spinning for yarn production, followed by twisting, weaving, thermo-fixing and confection of the net.
- Capacity: Up to several tons depending on count of yarn and biodegradable polymer availability.
- Customization: Various mesh sizes, yarn diameters, and knot types.
- Quality Control: Compliance with international standards through rigorous testing.
User: Who Can Benefit from This Technology?
Biodegradable fishing nets provide value across multiple stakeholders, including fisheries, the boating industry, environmental organizations, and regulatory bodies. Fisheries can adopt sustainable gear to minimize environmental impact and comply with stricter regulations. The boating industry benefits from eco-friendly solutions to reduce marine litter. Environmental organizations can leverage the technology to promote ocean health initiatives, while policymakers can drive legislation supporting sustainable fishing practices.
Exploitation Pathway: How Will This Technology Be Put Into Action?
The exploitation pathway for biodegradable fishing nets includes:
- R&D Projects: Non-profit initiatives to further improve material formulations and expand applications.
- Industry Collaboration: Partnerships with fisheries and regulatory bodies to integrate the technology.
- Market Expansion: Offering customized solutions to diverse market segments.
- Awareness Campaigns: Educating stakeholders on the benefits of biodegradable fishing nets.
Through these pathways, biodegradable fishing nets aim to revolutionize the fishing industry by providing a sustainable alternative to conventional nets.
Discover More
Learn more about Cittadini and Next Technology Tecnotessile, REMEDIES program partner, here and here.
- Explore the Marketplace Page for the technology, here!
- Watch the Technology Presentation of YouTube – available soon!
