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Biodegradable twine for trawl fishing: Seawater ageing and net modelling
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Researchers evaluated a biodegradable PBS/PBAT twine as an alternative to conventional HDPE fishing gear, finding it degrades significantly in seawater — losing up to 80% strength at 25°C after 3 years — while performing comparably in trawl modeling. This suggests biodegradable fishing twine could substantially reduce ghost fishing impacts when gear is lost at sea.
Fishing gears are designed to catch marine species, but when lost at sea, they can continue to trap and kill aquatic life, a phenomenon known as ghost fishing. This study evaluated the use of a biodegradable twine made from poly(butylene succinate)/poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBS/PBAT) in trawl fishing. The assessment included mechanical testing, trawl modelling, and seawater ageing simulations to explore potential loss scenarios. Mechanical tests indicated that the PBS/PBAT braid was about half as strong as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) but was suitable for braiding and netting. After 3 years in seawater, PBS/PBAT monofilaments showed biotic degradation, with strength losses of 20 % at 15 °C and 80 % at 25 °C. This suggests that gear made from this polymer would degrade faster than conventional gear if lost. Trawl modelling further demonstrated that trawl performance was only slightly affected by material change and ageing, highlighting the potential for reducing ghost fishing with less persistent twine.
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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.
Influence of knot strength on the mechanical performance of a biodegradable gillnet
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Researchers compared conventional nylon (PA6) gillnets to biodegradable alternative nets and found the biodegradable material lost even more strength at knots than expected from its weaker base fiber, making it less suitable as a direct replacement. Developing effective biodegradable fishing gear is important because lost or abandoned plastic nets — called ghost gear — are a major source of marine microplastic pollution.
Biodegradable fishing gear: A sustainable solution to ghost net pollution in marine environments
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This study reviews biodegradable fishing gear based on copolyesters such as PBSAT and PBSA as sustainable alternatives to conventional polyamide nets, which persist in the ocean as ghost gear and generate microplastics. The authors assess the degradation performance, mechanical properties, and environmental profiles of biodegradable gear materials, finding them promising candidates for reducing ghost net pollution.
Alternative Rope Materials in Towed Fishing Gear to Reduce Plastic Waste, A Comparative Study of Mechanical Properties and Tolerance Against Wear and Tear
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Researchers compared the wear tolerance of 14 different rope materials in demersal fisheries, including conventional synthetic polymers and biodegradable alternatives, to identify lower-plastic options that can reduce fishing gear-derived plastic waste.
Fishing efficiency of biodegradable PBSAT gillnets and conventional nylon gillnets used in Norwegian cod (Gadus morhua) and saithe (Pollachius virens) fisheries
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Fishing trials in Norway found that biodegradable PBSAT gillnets performed comparably to conventional nylon gillnets for catching cod and saithe. Biodegradable fishing nets represent a promising way to reduce the amount of lost gear — ghost fishing gear — that contributes to plastic pollution and microplastic generation in the ocean.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.