New research: Management pathways to reduce plastic emissions
Norwegian demersal fisheries emit around 200 tonnes of microplastics annually. Most of these plastic emissions are caused by abrasion of fishing gear, particularly trawls and Danish seines. Gear abrasion is a continuous source of plastic emissions and therefore differs from pollution caused by abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG).
Integrating plastic emissions into fisheries management could help prevent plastic pollution. This is the conclusion of a new research article by SINTEF Ocean, produced as part of SFI Dsolve and published in Marine Policy.
The article highlights that technological substitution alone will not eliminate these emissions. Fisheries management should therefore prioritise measures to reduce abrasion, extend the service life of fishing gear and monitor material loss. Continued research and innovation are important, and by explicitly integrating plastic emissions as a sustainability factor, fisheries management can be better aligned with modern environmental objectives.