The Nordic countries, with their extensive fishing industry, have taken significant steps towards incorporating the principles of a circular economy into the management of fishing gear. This report examines how end-of-life fishing gear (EOLFG) is currently managed in Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Norway, with an emphasis on regional challenges, innovative practices, and opportunities for improvement.
Although fishing gear, which is primarily made from synthetic materials, is durable and practical, it poses environmental risks when lost or improperly discarded. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) can contribute to ghost fishing and marine pollution. While all the Nordic countries have improved their handling of EOLFG, challenges remain in tracking gear, reducing loss, and ensuring proper recycling or disposal.
Regional differences have a significant impact on EOLFG management. Greenland faces logistical hurdles due to its vast, remote geography and topography. However, it has implemented effective systems, using empty containers on return trips from fishing settlements to transport used gear for sorting and recycling. Iceland has successfully developed a recycling pathway through the Recycling Fund with dismantling processes using local netlofts who are familiar with the material. However, materials still have to be exported due to a lack of local recycling facilities. The Faroe Islands share similarities with Iceland, benefiting from shorter distances, and rely on netlofts for dismantling gear before shipping it for recycling, primarily to Denmark. Norway, with its extensive coastline and a mix of commercial and recreational fisheries, has set an example through its gear loss reporting system and annual retrieval missions to reduce marine litter and ghost fishing.
Despite these advancements, gaps remain. None of the Nordic countries has a comprehensive system to track fishing gear from purchase to disposal. Marking systems, with a visible reference to the user and some even with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging or QR/bar-coding with more detailed references, can address this gap and improve traceability and reduce gear loss. Moreover, the inclusion of detailed information with marking systems about the materials used in fishing gear within these systems could improve recycling efficiency and encourage the development of standardised, sustainable materials.
A pressing issue is the loss of small gear fragments, such as from dolly rope strands or gillnet pieces, which are difficult to track but cause significant environmental harm. Research into alternative materials and cleaner fishing practices is essential to mitigate this issue. The Nordic countries could also benefit from increasing local recycling capacity, harmonising regional policies, and promoting collaboration in order to share best practices and innovations.
The project findings emphasise that while the Nordic region has made substantial progress in EOLFG management, more can be done to move towards a truly sustainable and circular fishing economy. Recommendations include improving gear traceability, expanding retrieval efforts, supporting fisher participation through incentives, and investing in research and recycling infrastructure. By leveraging their collective expertise and resources, the Nordic countries have the opportunity to lead by example globally in creating a sustainable fishing industry.