We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Comparing the end-of-life circularity potential of commercial fishing gear deployed in Norway by applying multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)
AI summary Read the abstract
This study applied multi-criteria decision analysis to compare the end-of-life circularity potential of six commercial fishing gear types used in Norway, considering economic and environmental sustainability along with technological feasibility. Purse seines showed the highest circularity potential, while gillnets, longlines, and traps posed the greatest challenges for circular end-of-life management.
Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear is one of the most harmful types of marine litter globally, causing irreversible damage to ocean life and ecosystems. Therefore, global and regional policies are currently being designed and implemented to limit the influx of fishing gear into the marine environment, emphasizing the importance of circular end-of-life management of fishing gear. This study compares the end-of-life circularity potential of the six most used commercial fishing gears in Norway to identify how the heterogeneity of gears impacts their management alternatives. The main findings of the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) applied in this study are that considering the economic and environmental sustainability, as well as technological feasibility of the gears' end-of-life management, purse seines have the most significant circularity potential, followed by trawls and Danish seines, while gillnets, longlines, and traps and pots are most challenging to manage according to circularity principles. Finally, some policy implications of these findings are discussed, considering especially the role of the Extended Producer Responsibility policy in the accommodation for fishing gears' circularity.
More Papers Like This
Multi-stakeholder perspective to generate evidence and strategies for sustainable management of ropes from the fishing sector of Norway
AI summary Read the abstract
This study used material flow analysis to assess plastic mass flows from Norway's commercial fishing sector, finding approximately 383 tons of fishing ropes lost annually in Norwegian waters. Only one-third of the 15 rope types analyzed could be efficiently recycled with current technologies, identifying significant gaps in circularity for this major source of marine plastic pollution.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) on waste management options for derelict fishing gear
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used life cycle assessment to compare four waste management options for derelict fishing gear retrieved from the ocean, including mechanical recycling, syngas production, energy recovery, and landfill disposal. They found that mechanical recycling and energy recovery had the lowest environmental impacts, while syngas production and landfilling were not competitive due to high energy requirements or insufficient offset credits. The study provides guidance for establishing environmentally sound waste management systems for this growing marine litter waste stream.
A multi-criteria assessment of policies to achieve the objectives of the EU marine litter strategy.
AI summary Read the abstract
This study used a multi-criteria assessment to evaluate policy options for meeting EU marine litter reduction targets. Researchers and stakeholders scored different policy measures on effectiveness, feasibility, and social acceptance. Extended producer responsibility, improved waste management infrastructure, and targeted bans on single-use plastics emerged as the most promising policy levers.
Multicriteria Decision Analysis Addressing Marine and Terrestrial Plastic Waste Management: A Review
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review analyzed 20 studies using multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) to evaluate plastic waste management strategies across three continents, finding that AHP was the most popular method and that multi-strategy combinations consistently outperformed single-approach solutions.
Developing a Circular Economy for Fishing Gear in the Northern Periphery and Arctic Region: Challenges and Opportunities
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper examines the challenges and opportunities for creating a circular economy for fishing gear — including lost and abandoned nets — in the Arctic and Northern European region. Discarded fishing gear is a major source of ocean plastic pollution, and recovering and recycling it could significantly reduce marine litter in these remote waters.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.