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Reducing plastic pollution caused by demersal fisheries
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Bottom trawling and demersal seining fishing gear steadily shed microplastics into the ocean as they wear down, and in Norway alone they account for over 70% of demersal fish catches while also being among the top sources of fishery-related microplastic pollution. Switching to biodegradable polymer alternatives for these nets could reduce marine plastic litter, even if end-of-life incineration rather than recycling remains the likely disposal route.
Marine microplastics generated by wear and tear of bottom trawls and demersal seines during their service life is a growing environmental concern that requires immediate attention. In Norway, these fishing gears account for more than 70 % of the landings of demersal fish species, but they are also the leading sources of microplastics generated by fisheries. Because these two fishing gears are widely used around the world, replacing fossil-based non-degradable plastics with more abrasion-resistant materials, including biodegradable polymers, should contribute to the reduction of marine litter and its associated environmental impacts. However, the lack of available recycling techniques and the need for separate collection of biodegradable polymers means that these materials will most likely be incinerated for energy recovery, which is not favourable from a circular economy perspective. Nonetheless, from an environmental perspective the use of such biodegradable polymers in demersal fisheries could still be a better alternative to standard polymer materials.
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Microplastic pollution from fishing gear: Emerging risks and management pathways
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Fishing gear like nets and trawls sheds an estimated 200 tons of microplastic into Norwegian waters every year, with certain fishing methods (Danish seine and trawl nets) responsible for most of the pollution. These plastics can work their way into the marine food chain—and ultimately onto our plates through seafood—but this review suggests switching to biodegradable gear materials could meaningfully cut emissions, though doing so will require rethinking how fishing rights and quotas are currently managed.
Biodegradable fishing gears: A potential solution to ghost fishing and marine plastic pollution
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Researchers evaluated biodegradable materials as alternatives to conventional nylon fishing gear to reduce ghost fishing and marine plastic pollution. They found that biodegradable nets caught fish at comparable rates but broke down much faster in ocean conditions, significantly reducing their long-term environmental impact. The study suggests that switching to biodegradable fishing gear could meaningfully reduce marine litter and the ongoing harm caused by lost or abandoned nets.
Oceanic plastic pollution caused by Danish seine fishing in Norway
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Researchers estimated that Danish seine fishing in Norway alone contributes 77 to 97 tons of plastic to the sea annually from rope wear caused by dragging gear along the seabed, and extrapolating globally, all fly dragging and anchor seining generates approximately 311 tons of plastic pollution per year. The study identifies fishing gear abrasion as a significant but underinvestigated source of marine microplastic contamination.
The role of recycling and biodegradable materials in aquaculture and fisheries
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This review examines the status and technical barriers to recycling plastics from fishing gear and aquaculture equipment in Norway and Iceland, and assesses biodegradable materials as an alternative, noting that circular value chains are critical for reducing the substantial microplastic pollution generated across the lifecycle of aquaculture plastics. Fishing gear and aquaculture equipment are among the largest sources of plastic pollution in marine environments, making sector-specific recycling solutions a priority.
Microplastics Derived from Commercial Fishing Activities
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Researchers estimated that ordinary commercial fishing activities in Norway generate approximately 208 tonnes of microplastics annually from rope abrasion and gear wear, extrapolating to roughly 4,622 tonnes globally per year across gear types including trawls, gillnets, longlines, pots, and Danish seine.
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.