5.8 Sustainability

The Clean Oceans Initiative was launched in January 2019 to help keep our oceans clean and healthy, and to protect against the harmful effects of marine litter and plastic pollution. The Initiative is managed by BIM and is supported by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). Several activities form part of the initiative including ‘Fishing for Litter’ which encourages fishers to collect any litter or debris they come across while working at sea. BIM provides reusable bags and any marine waste collected is brought ashore by fishers, with relevant Harbour Masters and wider fishing port staff organising for it to be recycled or disposed of in a responsible manner. This work is voluntary and helps to keep litter out of the ocean and to protect Ireland’s marine environment and marine life. By the end of 2022, 96% of the mainly offshore fleet were officially registered as part of the initiative at 12 ports. Ireland’s fishing sector has collected more than 900 tonnes of marine litter as part of its ‘Fishing for Litter’ activities to date.

In June 2022, Minister McConalogue announced the launch of the Clean Oceans Initiative Fishing Gear Retirement programme. Over 130 tonnes of retired gear has been collected to date. Ireland’s aquaculture producers are also actively participating in the Clean Oceans Initiative. More than a dozen aquaculture groups across Ireland take part in regular pier and shore clean-ups organised by BIM. In the region of 100 tonnes of marine waste was collected as part of these activities during 2022.

The recently published Climate Action Plan 2023 includes an action to “maintain and seek ways to improve on the participation rate of 96% in the Clean Oceans Initiative.” Steps to assist in the delivery of this action include working with industry to develop systems for the circular economy of fishing gear, further implementation of the gear retirement scheme, and maintaining supports to ports and participation from industry in the ’Fishing for Litter’ campaign.

DAFM continues to support the Clean Oceans Initiative, and removal of litter from the ocean, to protect the marine environment from degradation.

Figure from page 185