Science and Fisheries together to tackle the threat of marine litter – Marine litter is one of the most serious threats to the health of marine ecosystems. Every year, millions of tonnes of plastic and other waste end up in our oceans, endangering marine life and damaging marine-related economic activities. To tackle this growing problem, collaboration between scientists, fishermen and local communities is essential.
The presence of litter in the seas not only threatens marine biodiversity, but also undermines human health and the global economy. Negative impacts include the death of marine animals, chemical pollution and habitat destruction. In addition, marine litter can interfere with fishing activities, reducing catches and increasing operating costs.
The FLAGS project: an example of successful collaboration
In Sardinia, an innovative project has demonstrated how collaboration between scientists and fishermen can make a difference. The FLAGS (Fishing Litter and Abandoned Gears in Sardinia) project, supported by the European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Fund, involved scientists from the University of Cagliari and local fisheries action groups. Together, they removed over two tonnes of waste from Sardinian waters.
During a scientific monitoring exercise, the scientists used remotely controlled underwater vehicles to explore the seabed. In addition to finding corals, they discovered large quantities of marine waste. This discovery underlined the urgency of a collaborative solution. The scientists approached local fishermen, who responded enthusiastically, showing a strong commitment to cleaning up the sea.
The start of the clean-up
Local fisheries action groups launched calls for proposals to select participating cooperatives and associations, offering financial support of EUR 3,000 for each. This made the project accessible to all fishermen, regardless of the size of their boats. Minimum harvest quotas were set at 100 kg for larger vessels, 50 kg for smaller ones and 20 kg for small boats.
The result: a cleaner sea
In six months, Sardinian fishermen carried out 136 fishing trips, collecting a total of 2400 kg of waste from a depth of between 10 and 800 metres. This effort highlighted the extent of the problem and the need to repeat the initiative. Detailed monitoring provided valuable information on the specific types of waste found at various depths.
The success of the FLAGS project has created an organisational model that can easily be replicated in other contexts. This model demonstrates the effectiveness of the involvement of the fishing community in the protection of marine biodiversity and the sustainable management of fish stocks. It has also increased the capacity of fishermen to monitor and record marine litter, contributing to awareness-raising and mitigation of the problem at source.
This initiative has laid the foundation for future collaborations between scientists and fishermen, aiming for a cleaner and healthier ocean. As Dr Alessandro Cau of the University of Cagliari said, the project has strengthened trust between the university department and local fishermen, creating a network of relationships that can support other cooperation initiatives in the future.
Tackling the problem of marine litter therefore requires a collective effort and close collaboration between science and fisheries. Projects like FLAGS show that by joining forces, it is possible to make a difference and protect our seas for future generations. The fight against marine litter has only just begun, but with everyone’s commitment we can look forward to a more sustainable future for our oceans.
Science and Fisheries together to tackle the threat of marine litter
