Recovering and transforming fishing waste for a sustainable future

Marine pollution, particularly arising from fishing activities, poses a significant threat to glob-al aquatic ecosystems. The improper disposal of fishing gear, such as nets and traps, contributes to the phenomenon known as 'ghost fishing,' resulting in direct harm to marine fauna and the generation of persistent waste in the aquatic environment. The unnatural presence of these substances leads to consequences such as habitat destruction, entanglement of animals, facilitation of invasive species transfers between ecosystems, and sediment deposition. These factors can have potential impacts on benthic animal life and feeding. At the forefront of environmental sustainability, the SeaRubbish2Cap project introduces an innovative approach to comprehensively tackle the issues of ocean waste recovery, with a strong emphasis on the circular economy and sustain-able recycling. To address this challenge, the project is developing a user-friendly mobile application that allows fishermen to identify and mark the locations where they lose their fishing artifacts at sea. This data aids in target-ed collection efforts and contributes to a better understanding of marine waste distribution. The located waste originating from fishing activities in the Peniche region's ocean floor was collected through a professional and careful process to minimize damage to the under-water environment. Additionally, practical strategies for proper waste treatment were thoroughly explored. This involved a multi-step process, including the meticulous removal of contaminants, segregation based on object characteristics, cleaning, and individual characterization of each waste item. Various techniques were employed to ensure thorough characterization, such as flow index (MFR), FTIR analysis (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). During the waste analysis, the identification of polymers and contaminants, including shell fragments from crustaceans, guided the meticulous selection of suitable elements for the treatment process. Subsequent to the comprehensive treatment procedure, a co-rotating twin-screw extruder was employed to fabricate a compound incorporating 70 wt% of recycled marine waste with polyethylene reclaimed from Neutroplast's industrial processing. The result-ant product demonstrates potential utility across various applications, effectively exemplifying the SeaRubbish2Cap project's adept response to the environmental challenge. This underscores its feasibility and success in generating valuable materials while advocating for environmental stewardship.