Clean Nordic Oceans (CNO) (39473)

Increased use of plastic products and materials with a long decomposition time is the main reason why accumulated plastic is becoming increasingly visible, together with a lack of adequate systems for handling recovered marine litter. The Nordic region has intensified its focus on this challenge as a consequence of the global focus on marine litter. In the Nordic region, as in many other parts of the world, both fisheries and recreational fishing account for a significant proportion of the marine litter from sea-based sources. Lost or discarded fishing gear is often comprised of plastic components, which end up in the natural environment where they may pose a risk to marine life. Thus, the purpose of the project is to establish a Nordic network for exchanging knowledge and experience about methods to reduce the harmful effects of ghost fishing and marine litter, and promote increased recycling of fishing gear from both commercial and recreational fishing. The project was established through the Nordic Council of Ministers as a Norwegian Presidency project with three years of operational funding. The target group for the project comprised all the Nordic countries.

Partners
National Institute of Aquatic Resources (DTU Aqua), Technical University of Denmark
Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, Norway (coordinator)
Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, Sweden

Funding
The project is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Research area: Ecosystem based Marine Management