Scientists in Norway explore biodegradable fishing gear to tackle plastic pollution in the ocean

Norway’s Innovative Biodegradable Fishing Gear Leads the Way in Reducing Ocean Plastic Pollution

Scientists in Norway are spearheading a revolutionary project to develop biodegradable fishing gear, aiming to significantly reduce plastic pollution in the ocean and mitigate the impact of harmful microplastics. This groundbreaking initiative offers a promising solution to a pressing environmental issue that affects not just marine ecosystems but also coastal communities around the world, including those along the U.S. shorelines.

Currently, many conventional fishing gear materials such as synthetic ropes, nets, and lines can persist in the ocean for centuries. When these materials degrade, they form microplastics, contaminating marine food chains and harming marine life. The project addresses what experts term “ghost fishing
gear,” discarded or lost fishing equipment that continues to ensnare and kill marine animals even after it is no longer in use.

“Fishing gear remains in situ for a long time, and in practice, turns the ocean into a plastic landfill site,” said Christian Karl, a researcher from SINTEF and a leading polymer chemist in the D-Solve project.

The D-Solve project is a comprehensive effort involving industry partners, universities, research institutions, and advocacy groups. These collaborations are crucial, similar to how U.S. initiatives like the NOAA Marine Debris Program and the Ocean Conservancy work to address ocean plastic pollution. The urgency in Norway is particularly high for fisheries employing bottom trawling and Danish seines, methods that release considerable amounts of plastic into the ocean.

According to Roger Larsen, a professor at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, fishing gear collected annually by the Directorate of Fisheries is mostly plastic. Yet, this still leaves much of the discarded gear unaccounted for. For instance, in 2022, over 40 kilometers (24 miles) of Danish seine rope was recovered by chance, with no report of the loss.

The project has four key phases: developing biodegradable fishing gear, designing gear for easier recycling, promoting industrial-scale production, and ensuring effective recycling. Karl emphasized, “An important aim is therefore to develop materials and fishing gear which are user-friendly during what we call the ‘service period,’ but then degrade rapidly.”

The researchers are carrying out extensive, long-term testing on biodegradable alternatives in various marine environments. These tests, which span temperatures from a frigid 39 degrees F to a sweltering 81 degrees F, compare the breakdown of biodegradeable materials against traditional fishing gear.

Karl explained, “The tests will continue for at least three years, or until the materials have completely degraded. We will study microbiological, UV, thermal, and chemical degradation in detail.”

Given the ongoing concerns about sustainable fishing practices, particularly in regions such as Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico, this research provides a glimmer of hope that fishing communities can combat the issue of plastic pollution in the ocean.

Despite these advancements, Larsen pointed out, “With degradable fishing nets, we’ve achieved 70 percent of the properties needed. That’s why we’re now looking for the perfect combination of materials. Nets are perhaps the biggest challenge – they must be thin and invisible to fish, yet strong and elastic to work as well as nylon.”

For longline fishing, bio-polyester material developed by Dutch company SENBIS shows promise, especially for the rope arms that guide fish towards the net. However, its significant cost remains a challenge. “This soon becomes too expensive for fishermen with small quotas,” Larsen observed. Thus, there is a clear need for cheaper alternatives such as wood fiber, animal hide, or cotton, much like the traditional use of cowhide in bottom trawling.

Larsen noted, “For longline fishing, biodegradable alternatives provide excellent results without any significant impact on catch rates. Yet, the long-term effects remain to be documented.”

Addressing potential counterarguments, some might argue the high cost of biodegradable materials could deter widespread adoption. Although this is a legitimate concern, studies indicate that as production scales up and the technology matures, costs are likely to decrease. Moreover, Marine Stewardship Council certification, which requires sustainable fishing practices, can open up more lucrative and sustainable markets for these fishing communities.

Not only are these efforts significant in curbing plastic pollution, they also offer an opportunity to create a new economic model in the fishing industry. New Materials, disposable fishing gear that last only during the fishing operation and then would decompose within the environment, could redefine the future of fishing. This shift echoes the emphasis on sustainability seen in broader U.S. environmental policies.

Moving Forward

The D-Solve project exemplifies how science, industry, and policy can combine to address a multifaceted challenge like ocean plastic pollution. United States’

fisheries could learn from Norway’s example, fortifying their sustainability practices by adopting similar innovative solutions. As the D-Solve team continues their work, there is a growing anticipation that biodegradable fishing gear could become the future standard in fisheries around the world, benefiting both marine ecosystems and human livelihoods.