Article Summary:

Maria Damanaki, EU commissioner for fisheries, will unveil a trial project in the Mediterranean this month, which will see fishermen equipped with nets to round-up plastic detritus rather than their more customary catch. The plastic will then be recycled, and although the scheme will initially rely on subsidies, the aim is that the sale of the recyclable material will eventually meet the costs of the operation. The collection of plastic will also help prevent the damage that it causes to fish, marine animals and birds.

The Guardian goes on to report that Ms Damanaki will offer the scheme as an incentive to appease fisheries groups as she pushes forward to legislate against the wasteful practice of discarding by-catch. Two-thirds of the fish caught are currently discarded, usually dead, as fleets exceed their quota, unintentionally catch juveniles or species for which they lack a quota, or because they prioritize higher value fish and throw away lesser species.