Producer responsibility for fisheries and aquaculture
Last updated: October 17, 2024
The Norwegian Environment Agency expects that extended producer responsibility will reduce litter and microplastics in the ocean, while also leading to increased reuse and recycling of equipment. This is considered a win-win situation for the environment and contributes to a more circular economy, according to Director Ellen Hambro at the Norwegian Environment Agency.
In 2019, the EU Directive on Plastic Products was introduced. The Directive contains requirements for extended producer responsibility for a number of plastic products and fishing gear containing plastic from fisheries, aquaculture (the fish farming industry) and recreational fishing. This means that producers and importers (hereinafter referred to as producers) must, among other things, cover the necessary costs for the separate collection of discarded fishing gear, as well as the subsequent transport and treatment of this.
The Norwegian Environment Agency recommends that producer responsibility should cover fishing gear used in both marine and freshwater, including land-based aquaculture facilities. The proposal has now been sent to the Ministry of Climate and Environment, which will later instruct the Norwegian Environment Agency to submit it for consultation. The aim is for the regulatory amendment to enter into force in December 2024.
Producers must ensure separate collection
The proposed regulation requires producers to ensure separate collection of discarded fishing gear containing plastic. This means that manufacturers must ensure that separate collection systems are available to a sufficient extent in the geographical areas where the products are used.
Producers must also facilitate the reuse and recycling of returned fishing equipment when producer responsibility comes into effect.
Since this is a new producer responsibility scheme, the Norwegian Environment Agency wants to avoid too much detailed regulation in the first instance. After the scheme has been introduced and experience has been gathered, it may be necessary to adjust the regulations. This is to ensure that producer responsibility contributes to increased separate collection, reuse and material recycling of discarded fishing gear. In the long term, this may mean setting minimum requirements for separate collection and/or for preparations for reuse or material recycling.
The Norwegian Environment Agency points out that there is already a lot of good work underway along the coast regarding collection and recycling of materials. This work should be further developed before any stricter requirements are considered.
Fishing gear is a major source of plastic in the ocean
Studies in Norway show that 46 percent of the plastic waste that ends up on beaches comes from fisheries and aquaculture, and that this mainly originates in Norway. Lost fishing gear constitutes marine litter, which breaks down into microplastics and is spread over great distances. Lost fishing gear in the ocean also leads to ghost fishing, where nets and pots continue to catch fish and shellfish. This is very harmful to the marine environment over time.
The Norwegian Environment Agency is taking the scale of littering from these industries seriously. Those who make a living from the sea litter their own livelihood, and it is necessary to collect more fishing gear and ensure that it enters a circular system to reduce the environmental problems that plastic causes in the ocean.
Will cover costs for separate collection and waste management
The Directorate's recommendations mean that producers must cover the necessary costs incurred by ports and other actors for separate collection, as well as the subsequent transport and treatment of discarded fishing equipment. Examples of other actors are municipalities, boat repair shops and service stations at producers.
Producer responsibility companies approved by the Norwegian Environment Agency will be established to carry out the obligations on behalf of the producers. These companies will ensure adequate collection systems and may enter into agreements with operators that facilitate the separate collection and treatment of discarded fishing gear.
Since October 1, 2023, ports have been responsible for facilitating the collection and sorting of waste from ships, including discarded fishing gear and lost equipment that fishermen receive as bycatch during fishing.
Summed up
- The Norwegian Environment Agency expects that extended producer responsibility will reduce litter and microplastics in the ocean, and at the same time increase reuse and recycling of fishing equipment.
- The EU directive from 2019 requires extended producer responsibility for plastic products and fishing equipment from fisheries, aquaculture and leisure fishing.
- Producers must cover the costs of separate collection, transport and treatment of discarded fishing gear.
- Producers must also facilitate the reuse and recycling of the equipment.
- Norway has high levels of plastic pollution from fisheries, which poses a major environmental threat, including ghost fishing.
- Producer responsibility companies will be established to ensure the proper collection and handling of fishing gear.