Plastic fishing gear is covered by producer responsibility and clean-up responsibility. The area is regulated by the EU’s regulations on certain products made of single use plastic. Registration must take place in the producer responsibility register at DPA.<\/p>\n
Plastic fishing equipment, including nets, lines and buoys, make up 27% of all waste dumped at sea and on beaches, which corresponds to over 11,000 tonnes per year (cf. the EU Commission’s Fact Sheet on the Single-Use Plastics Directive). Lost fishing gear can still catch fish and other marine animals over the years – but to no avail. This is called ghost fishing.<\/p>\n
In addition, marine mammals and diving birds run the risk of getting stuck and thus drowning in fishing gear that floats around or lies on the seabed. Discarded fishing gear causes both ghost fishing and microplastic pollution, which does significant damage to biodiversity and the marine environment.<\/p>\n
As the recycling potential is great, the plastic is collected in order to protect the environment and increase the circular processes. Producers and importers are now required to finance the clean-up, collection and disposal of discarded fishing equipment, as well as contribute to public awareness campaigns.<\/p>\n
Producers pay for the clean-up, not the fishermen.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>