END PLASTIC SOUP

The problem of ghost nets is well known: during fishing operations, nets become snagged and can no longer be retrieved. They must therefore be cut loose and are lost. This is not only a major financial loss for fishermen, the nets are a death trap for marine life of all kinds and cause enormous ecological damage.

Exactly what this damage looks like, and what economic and social consequences the "net pollution" of local fishing grounds has for the fishing industry, has now been investigated in Portugal on behalf of Mare Nostrum.

The "Ghost Nets Portugal" project ist Mare Nostrum's first own project

Thanks to the project initiator Rot. Urs Endress from RC Arlesheim, who is extremely well connected locally in Portugal, an extensive preliminary project was carried out with the goal of assessing the scale of the problem and determining the specific composition of the nets drifting in the sea. These are essential prerequisites for subsequently developing a concept for an eventually cost-covering recycling of the nets and for estimating project costs.

Project Overview (PDF, deutsch)

Research Proposal (PDF, engl.)

Status report September 2023 (PDF, deutsch)

Status Report September 2024: See minutes of the general assembly

Following the preliminary investigations already completed, Mare Nostrum is now taking the lead in "Phase 3", focused on establishing a sustainable circular economy for the ghost nets to be recovered.

Preliminary Study (PDF)

Are you an expert in plastic recycling, circular economy, or plastics technology? Would you like to contribute your knowledge in the spirit of Mare Nostrum? We look forward to hearing from you via  contact!