FAQs

There are many resources available on the AQUA-LIT toolbox to address questions that may arise about marine litter ideas & solutions. On this page you will find several FAQs according to specific ML related topics.

When questions are submitted to the Question & Answer Service, they are answered individually. Depending on the nature of the question, they will be generalised and the corresponding answers provided will be added to this page.

The answers on the FAQ page are continuously kept up to date and linked to more practices and projects as they are added to the website. This ensures that the answers will always refer to the most relevant and advanced information, knowledge and experiences with ML today.

Topics

Specific prevention measures for open-sea facilities

What can be done to avoid plastic feed bags become marine litter?

Avoid, as far as possible, bringing items into open sea facilities that can potentially turn into garbage, such as plastic feed bags, which can be substituted by heavier containers that cannot fly away so easily.

How can the small gear items be managed to reduce their environmental impact?

Facilitate the collection of small gear items when they are being removed by bringing containers to the facilities.

How can the potential litter be reducedin harsh conditions?

Purchase very resistant material to harsh conditions.

How can the potential garbage be reduced?

Avoid, as far as possible, bringing items into open sea facilities that can potentially turn into garbage, such as plastic feed bags, which can be substituted by heavier containers that cannot fly away so easily.

Awareness and training

How can the increasing awareness help to reduce and prevent the marine litter?

Increase the awareness of all aquaculture stakeholders regarding the prevention of marine litter, preferably by means of online workshops/webinars Establish management practices and train the staff in good procedures about how to handle, fix and assembly all types of gear in order to reduce the quantity of elements that are frequently lost. Trainings could be done in collaboration with technicians from the gear production companies. Support campaigns organized by the public administration focused on good practices applied by the aquaculture sector and the certified products related to those good practices. Support campaigns organized by the public administration addressed to the aquaculture farmers to promote the idea that an improvement in the reduction of non-organic litter implies a better public image of the sector. Support campaigns organized by the public administration to increase the customer awareness related to the fact that higher prices (derived from new EPR systems in place, alternative materials, etc) are related to a better environmental quality of the aquaculture product. In Spain, include the identification of potential sources of waste and the estimation of non-organic marine litter related to an aquaculture facility in the Environmental Surveillance Plans (PVAs due to the Spanish abbreviation)

Which kind of traning are needed to reduce and prevent de marine litter from the aquaculture activities?

Establish management practices and train the staff in good procedures about how to handle, fix and assembly all types of gear in order to reduce the quantity of elements that are frequently lost. Trainings could be done in collaboration with technicians from the gear production companies.

Which kind of campaigns are needed to prevent and reduce the marine litter from aquaculture?

Support campaigns organized by the public administration focused on good practices applied by the aquaculture sector and the certified products related to those good practices. Support campaigns organized by the public administration addressed to the aquaculture farmers to promote the idea that an improvement in the reduction of non-organic litter implies a better public image of the sector. Support campaigns organized by the public administration to increase the customer awareness related to the fact that higher prices (derived from new EPR systems in place, alternative materials, etc) are related to a better environmental quality of the aquaculture product.

How should the Spanish legislation be improved for a better reduction and prevention of the marine litter from aquaculture?

In Spain, include the identification of potential sources of waste and the estimation of non-organic marine litter related to an aquaculture facility in the Environmental Surveillance Plans (PVAs due to the Spanish abbreviation)

Which kind of management practices are needed to reduce and prevent de marine litter from the aquaculture activities?

Establish management practices and train the staff in good procedures about how to handle, fix and assembly all types of gear in order to reduce the quantity of elements that are frequently lost. Trainings could be done in collaboration with technicians from the gear production companies.

Which kind of support is needed from the public administration to prevent and reduce the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Support campaigns organized by the public administration addressed to the aquaculture farmers to promote the idea that an improvement in the reduction of non-organic litter implies a better public image of the sector. Support campaigns organized by the public administration to increase the customer awareness related to the fact that higher prices (derived from new EPR systems in place, alternative materials, etc) are related to a better environmental quality of the aquaculture product. Support campaigns organized by the public administration focused on good practices applied by the aquaculture sector and the certified products related to those good practices.

How should the identification of potential sources of waste and the estimation of non-organic marine litter related to an aquaculture facility be included in the Spanish legislation?

In Spain, include the identification of potential sources of waste and the estimation of non-organic marine litter related to an aquaculture facility in the Environmental Surveillance Plans (PVAs due to the Spanish abbreviation)

What can be done to prevent and reduce the quantity of elements that are frequently lost?

Establish management practices and train the staff in good procedures about how to handle, fix and assembly all types of gear in order to reduce the quantity of elements that are frequently lost. Trainings could be done in collaboration with technicians from the gear production companies.

How can the customers be involved in the prevention and reduction of the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Support campaigns organized by the public administration to increase the customer awareness related to the fact that higher prices (derived from new EPR systems in place, alternative materials, etc) are related to a better environmental quality of the aquaculture product.

Setting up preventive maintenance schedules for the aquaculture facilities

How the surveillance plans can help to prevent and reduce the marine litter from aquaculture?

Create surveillance plans which include checking the state of the aquaculture facilities regularly, with the objective to prevent potential gear losses and damages. Create pre-scheduled surveillance plans to obtain information on the life cycle, durability and resistance, etc of the gear and the items used. These plans can be the basis of the farmers’ customized traceability systems. Surveillance plans should be included in the good practices’ certification.

How can we build the trust among the aquaculture farmers and other stakeholders regarding marine litter management?

Establish public official reference values in relation to the potential waste generated by the aquaculture sector, exclusive of each type of aquaculture main activities. This kind of litter-frame would help to build trust among the multiple aquaculture stakeholders involved in the non-organic marine litter management

How the potential gear losses and damages can be reduced?

Create surveillance plans which include checking the state of the aquaculture facilities regularly, with the objective to prevent potential gear losses and damages. Create pre-scheduled surveillance plans to obtain information on the life cycle, durability and resistance, etc of the gear and the items used. These plans can be the basis of the farmers’ customized traceability systems.

How can the surveillance plans be linked to the good practices certification?

Surveillance plans should be included in the good practices’ certification.

How can a traceability system be developed?

Create pre-scheduled surveillance plans to obtain information on the life cycle, durability and resistance, etc of the gear and the items used. These plans can be the basis of the farmers’ customized traceability systems.

Insurance companies' role in marine litter prevention regarding the knowledge of the items which are lost or broken more frequently

How the potential gear losses and damages can be reduced?

The information provided by the farmers to the insurance companies regarding their facilities in place and what is lost after a large storm event could help to identify the items that are more vulnerable in a critical situation and, therefore, to reduce the damages and losses.

How can the collaborations among stakeholders and companies help to reduce and prevent the marine litter from aquaculture?

The information provided by the farmers to the insurance companies regarding their facilities in place and what is lost after a large storm event could help to identify the items that are more vulnerable in a critical situation and, therefore, to reduce the damages and losses.

How can the synergies help to reduce and prevent the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

The information provided by the farmers to the insurance companies regarding their facilities in place and what is lost after a large storm event could help to identify the items that are more vulnerable in a critical situation and, therefore, to reduce the damages and losses.

Good practices and certification

How can the good practices certification help to reduce and prevent the marine litter from aquaculture?

The creation and agreement under the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) frame or any national initiative like the Asociación Española de Normalización (UNE) should be the basis for the good practices’ certification. The certification of adopted good practices to reduce and prevent the potential non-organic litter or debris should be encouraged by positive economical stimuli, such as tax reduction or fiscal incentives Good practices regarding the waste prevention should be mandatory (no alternative accepted) and they should become another part of the daily work flow. Improve the control points of waste prevention in the aquaculture standards for good practices certification: they should be feasible to be implemented by producers and feasible to be verified by the certification body. Emphasize the value of the good practices that are currently in place and being applied by the farmers.

Which should be the basis for the good practices certification regarding marine litter?

The creation and agreement under the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) frame or any national initiative like the Asociación Española de Normalización (UNE) should be the basis for the good practices’ certification.

How can the good practices certification regarding the prevention of marine litter be encouraged?

The certification of adopted good practices to reduce and prevent the potential non-organic litter or debris should be encouraged by positive economical stimuli, such as tax reduction or fiscal incentives

Should the good practices regarding the reduction and preventio of marine litter be mandatory?

Good practices regarding the waste prevention should be mandatory (no alternative accepted) and they should become another part of the daily work flow.

How should the control points of waste prevention in the aquaculture standards be?

Improve the control points of waste prevention in the aquaculture standards for good practices certification: they should be feasible to be implemented by producers and feasible to be verified by the certification body.

Apply the circular economy approach and the 5R’s schemes to prevent and reduce the non-organic marine litter from aquaculture activities

How the circular economy approach can help to prevent and reduce the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Consider the circular economy approach when designing any aquaculture gear, to provide an economic value from the first step in the production to the end-of-life. Gather information of any aquaculture gear on the market demand and the potential for being reused and/or recycled/upcycled, under the circular economy approach Enlarge the life-cycle of the nets by following a regular maintenance scheme including washing, disinfection, repairing and applying anti-fouling treatments, among others. Promote the local repair and reuse of nets

How can the circular economy approach be integrated in the gear design with the aim to reduce the marine litter?

Consider the circular economy approach when designing any aquaculture gear, to provide an economic value from the first step in the production to the end-of-life.

How can the life-cycle of the nets be enlarged?

Enlarge the life-cycle of the nets by following a regular maintenance scheme including washing, disinfection, repairing and applying anti-fouling treatments, among others.

Technical improvement and innovation of materials

How can the improvements in technical aspects, innovative materials and gear design help to reduce and prevent the marine litter from aquaculture?

Mitigate the price impact on aquaculture gear and materials composed of more durable materials instead of single use plastic by a gradual shift in the production of materials by gear producers to facilitate the adaptation of the aquaculture farmer. Carry out a complete analysis of the technical characteristics of suitable material for aquaculture gear (flexibility, resistance to harsh conditions, corrosion resistant, among others) and life-cycle steps (from production to end-of-life treatment). The analysis of the technical characteristics of suitable material for aquaculture gear and life-cycle steps should result in recommendations on types of materials or mixtures of materials needed to produce the most frequent aquaculture items. The results of the analysis of the technical characteristics of suitable material for aquaculture gear and life-cycle steps should be incorporated in environmental aquaculture regulation and gear made following these recommendations should be included as a certified good practice. Focus on producing nets with materials that do not get residuals and biological components attached (biofouling), in order to avoid fast degrading processes. Alternative material research should include tests and analyses on substances that were used prior to plastics, e.g. wood for mussel stoppers or for fish transport. Improve the technical characteristics of the biodegradable plastics efforts should focus on reducing the time needed to degrade them and to increase their resistance to harsh conditions Efforts should focus on improving the design of small/non-valuable/Single Use Plastic items. Focus the design of aquaculture facilities on creating stable and solid infrastructures to minimize losses and damages. All aquaculture gear should be designed to be as resistant as possible to harsh marine conditions and to be able to attach to other items to avoid loss or damage Raise efforts to find and promote alternatives to cable ties, like more resistant and durable fixing systems. Any breakthrough related to eco or sustainable designs should be integrated in the aquaculture regulation.

How can the shift from SUP to more durable materials be facilitated?

Mitigate the price impact on aquaculture gear and materials composed of more durable materials instead of single use plastic by a gradual shift in the production of materials by gear producers to facilitate the adaptation of the aquaculture farmer.

Which aspects of the gear material have to be considered for improving its technical characteristics?

Carry out a complete analysis of the technical characteristics of suitable material for aquaculture gear (flexibility, resistance to harsh conditions, corrosion resistant, among others) and life-cycle steps (from production to end-of-life treatment).

How can the knowledge related to the technical characteristics of the gear help to reduce and prevent the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

The analysis of the technical characteristics of suitable material for aquaculture gear and life-cycle steps should result in recommendations on types of materials or mixtures of materials needed to produce the most frequent aquaculture items. The results of the analysis of the technical characteristics of suitable material for aquaculture gear and life-cycle steps should be incorporated in environmental aquaculture regulation and gear made following these recommendations should be included as a certified good practice.

How can the degrading processes of nets be prevented?

Focus on producing nets with materials that do not get residuals and biological components attached (biofouling), in order to avoid fast degrading processes.

How can the traditional materials be taken in consideration again regarding the prevention and reduction of marine litter?

Alternative material research should include tests and analyses on substances that were used prior to plastics, e.g. wood for mussel stoppers or for fish transport.

Which technical characteristics of the current biodegradable plastics should be considered to prevent and reduce the marine litter?

Improve the technical characteristics of the biodegradable plastics efforts should focus on reducing the time needed to degrade them and to increase their resistance to harsh conditions

Which are the type of items that should be in the top priorities of the reduction and prevention of marine litter?

Efforts should focus on improving the design of small/non-valuable/Single Use Plastic items.

Which are the priorities related to the aquaculture facilities design to prevent and reduce the marine litter?

Focus the design of aquaculture facilities on creating stable and solid infrastructures to minimize losses and damages.

How should the aquaculture gear be designed to avoid losses and damages?

All aquaculture gear should be designed to be as resistant as possible to harsh marine conditions and to be able to attach to other items to avoid loss or damage

How should the eco design or sustainable design be related to prevention and reduction of marine litter?

Any breakthrough related to eco or sustainable designs should be integrated in the aquaculture regulation.

How can the price impact related to the shift from SUP to more durable materials be mitigated?

Mitigate the price impact on aquaculture gear and materials composed of more durable materials instead of single use plastic by a gradual shift in the production of materials by gear producers to facilitate the adaptation of the aquaculture farmer.

Which aspects of the gear life-cycle have to be considered for improving its technical characteristics?

Carry out a complete analysis of the technical characteristics of suitable material for aquaculture gear (flexibility, resistance to harsh conditions, corrosion resistant, among others) and life-cycle steps (from production to end-of-life treatment).

How can the knowledge related to the technical characteristics of the gear help to reduce and prevent the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Carry out a complete analysis of the technical characteristics of suitable material for aquaculture gear (flexibility, resistance to harsh conditions, corrosion resistant, among others) and life-cycle steps (from production to end-of-life treatment).

Create synergies among all aquaculture stakeholders to facilitate the prevention and reduction of non-organic marine litter

How can the synergies help to reduce and prevent the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Create a communication channel that connects all involved stakeholders to help to identify the main needs and priorities in relation to non-organic litter prevention and reduction in the aquaculture sector Share the information related with the main needs and priorities in relation to non-organic litter prevention and reduction in the aquaculture sector with the gear producers, material producers and the policy makers, with the aim to create a set of rules that would apply to the gear design and material selection, to ensure resistance and durability in a regulation framework. The regulation related to gear design and material selection (to ensure resistance and durability) should be the basis for the good practice criteria certification

How can the collaborations among stakeholders and companies help to reduce and prevent the marine litter from aquaculture?

The regulation related to gear design and material selection (to ensure resistance and durability) should be the basis for the good practice criteria certification Share the information related with the main needs and priorities in relation to non-organic litter prevention and reduction in the aquaculture sector with the gear producers, material producers and the policy makers, with the aim to create a set of rules that would apply to the gear design and material selection, to ensure resistance and durability in a regulation framework. Create a communication channel that connects all involved stakeholders to help to identify the main needs and priorities in relation to non-organic litter prevention and reduction in the aquaculture sector

How should the eco design or sustainable design be related to prevention and reduction of marine litter?

The regulation related to gear design and material selection (to ensure resistance and durability) should be the basis for the good practice criteria certification

Enforcement of the governance related to non-organic marine litter

Which are the top regulation priorities linked to the prevention and reduction of the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Incorporate the European Directive 2019/904 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment into all Member State's regulation. In Spain, create a specific Spanish Single Use Plastic regulation and Extended Producer Responsibility scheme regulation for fisheries and aquaculture In Spain, synchronize the license renewals that shellfish farmers need from the approving authority and from the Port Authority It would be advisable to homogenize as much as possible the criteria of the multiple Spanish autonomous communities regarding waste management. Include or expand (depends on each autonomous community) the development of a non-organic waste management plan in the environmental authorization procedures and/or the Environmental Surveillance Plans (PVAs) Involvement of the policy makers environmental authorities in the identification of areas for the development of the aquaculture, to guarantee the harmonious integration of the aquaculture facilities in the coastal zones, minimize land-use conflicts and reduce the potential impacts.

How should the Spanish legislation be improved for a better reduction and prevention of the marine litter from aquaculture?

In Spain, create a specific Spanish Single Use Plastic regulation and Extended Producer Responsibility scheme regulation for fisheries and aquaculture In Spain, synchronize the license renewals that shellfish farmers need from the approving authority and from the Port Authority It would be advisable to homogenize as much as possible the criteria of the multiple Spanish autonomous communities regarding waste management. Include or expand (depends on each autonomous community) the development of a non-organic waste management plan in the environmental authorization procedures and/or the Environmental Surveillance Plans (PVAs)

How can the synergies help to reduce and prevent the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Involvement of the policy makers environmental authorities in the identification of areas for the development of the aquaculture, to guarantee the harmonious integration of the aquaculture facilities in the coastal zones, minimize land-use conflicts and reduce the potential impacts.

How can fisheries and aquaculture activities collaborate?

In Spain, create a specific Spanish Single Use Plastic regulation and Extended Producer Responsibility scheme regulation for fisheries and aquaculture

Which are the license renewal process priorities linked to the prevention and reduction of the marine litter from aquaculture activities in Spain?

In Spain, synchronize the license renewals that shellfish farmers need from the approving authority and from the Port Authority

Taxes and fines

Which type of economical penalties could be applied to enforce the prevention and reduction of marine litter?

Raise taxes on non-sustainable (like plastic) materials but not on alternative materials to create a clear benefit in using the sustainable gear. This solution can only be adopted once there are real alternatives to the non-sustainable materials. Apply penalties to the companies that do not put in place prevention measures

Including monitoring protocols in the environmental regulation of the aquaculture facilities

How can the monitoring protocols be integrated in the current aquaculture regulation?

Expand the current environmental objectives of the Marine Strategies to include the criteria of monitoring marine litter (related to descriptor 10 - MSFD) in the Compatibility Reports. Add monitoring marine litter as criteria in all the Environmental Surveillance Plans related to any kind of aquaculture activity. Simplify the proposed Environmental Surveillance Plans guidelines for farms smaller than 500 t. Include also material lost data in the report on sustainability. Some aquaculture companies develop sustainability reports which are usually based on the evaluation of their performance on environmental (and social) indicators. But lost material information is not frequently included. Include an indicator of collection of marine litter around the farm on the report on sustainability.

How can the monitoring protocols be integrated in the Compatibility Reports linked to the descriptor 10 of Marine Strategies?

Expand the current environmental objectives of the Marine Strategies to include the criteria of monitoring marine litter (related to descriptor 10 - MSFD) in the Compatibility Reports.

How can the monitoring protocols be integrated in the current Spanish aquaculture regulation?

Add monitoring marine litter as criteria in all the Environmental Surveillance Plans related to any kind of aquaculture activity. Simplify the proposed Environmental Surveillance Plans guidelines for farms smaller than 500 t.

How can the monitoring protocols be integrated in the reports on sustainability?

Include also material lost data in the report on sustainability. Some aquaculture companies develop sustainability reports which are usually based on the evaluation of their performance on environmental (and social) indicators. But lost material information is not frequently included. Include an indicator of collection of marine litter around the farm on the report on sustainability.

Promote the research on quantification and monitoring of no organic marine litter from aquaculture activities

How can research help to improve the monitoring and quantification of marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Perform a rigorous analysis regarding the marine litter that is generated by the aquaculture sector. Develop research programmes on quantification and type of litter coming from the aquaculture sector in the Mediterranean Sea and increase general awareness. Generate knowledge on which type of litter comes from which type of aquaculture, creating a database that quantifies the contribution per type of category. This allows to estimate the correlation between the type and amount of aquaculture produced and the potential litter associated.

How can research and improved knowledge help to improve the monitoring and quantification of marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Include topics on monitoring of marine litter in the curricula of aquaculture professionals (universities or research centres) and carry out workshops/awareness activities.

Increase synergies and enhance communication among the stakeholders

How can the synergies help to improve the monitoring and quantification marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Increase synergies among academia, policy makers and farmers for a common understanding and knowledge of aquaculture marine litter quantification. Communication is very important, as a form of awareness and for showcasing a current problem needed to be addressed. A communication channel that connects all the involved stakeholders should be created, with the aim to facilitate sharing the data about the items that have been lost, broken or abandoned by the farmers and the items collected during the marine litter clean-up initiatives. Once government and involved stakeholders have access to real data regarding the marine litter issue, they will probably more easily engage in addressing the problem. Incentivize collaboration among farmers through the creation of clusters of aquaculture services acting in a sustainable way (e.g. sustainable waste management). Estimate losses based on the information provided by the farmers to the insurance companies regarding their facilities in place (main structures, important elements, gear, etc) and what is lost after a large storm event.

How can the collaborations among stakeholders and companies help to improve the monitoring and quantification marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Increase synergies among academia, policy makers and farmers for a common understanding and knowledge of aquaculture marine litter quantification. Communication is very important, as a form of awareness and for showcasing a current problem needed to be addressed. A communication channel that connects all the involved stakeholders should be created, with the aim to facilitate sharing the data about the items that have been lost, broken or abandoned by the farmers and the items collected during the marine litter clean-up initiatives. Once government and involved stakeholders have access to real data regarding the marine litter issue, they will probably more easily engage in addressing the problem. Incentivize collaboration among farmers through the creation of clusters of aquaculture services acting in a sustainable way (e.g. sustainable waste management). Estimate losses based on the information provided by the farmers to the insurance companies regarding their facilities in place (main structures, important elements, gear, etc) and what is lost after a large storm event.

Improving monitoring schemes

Which are the top priorities related to marine litter monitoring schemes?

Train professionals and volunteers to characterise and differentiate the non-organic marine litter related to aquaculture from other sectors. Adapt the list of found items and characterized categories in the standardised monitoring forms, in response to the changing market of aquaculture gear. Standardise monitoring protocols and characterization of marine litter derived from aquaculture facilities at a national level Standardise monitoring protocols and characterization of marine litter derived from aquaculture facilities at an international level The standardization protocols and characterization of marine litter should also apply, as far as possible, to the litter produced in inland facilities. This action would help to keep better track of all types of aquaculture waste. Improve the monitoring schemes for floating and seafloor marine litter. Standardization of the methodology, the measurement units and the categories of the filling form should be implemented at European level. Enforce marine litter monitoring in aquaculture plants using the correlation between biomass and material losses. Especially for mussel farming, biomass loss provoked by storms or any other environmental cause can be easily quantified by farmers. This can be used to estimate the gear loss (e.g. mussels nets) by correlating the two factors. Improve the marine litter quantification around the farms, which needs to be included in the monitoring programme of the water quality (not only of the seafloor). Monitor the seabed using specific technology (underwater drones, robots) Implement the use of material tracking systems to trace e.g. buoys, etc. Oblige, by law, to tag the aquaculture nets and other big gear like buoys, so that they can be traced. Gear should be tagged by the manufacturer and by the farmer. Floats/buoys are usually found tangled with the nets on the seafloor. Therefore, it would be advisable to mark nets and floats/buoys together. Fill in a logbook, keeping track of the bought items, installed and/or used items, the major events happened and any gear loss or break.

Which are the top priorities related to marine litter characterization training?

Train professionals and volunteers to characterise and differentiate the non-organic marine litter related to aquaculture from other sectors.

How can the changing market of the aquaculture gear be taken into account in the monitoring protocols?

Adapt the list of found items and characterized categories in the standardised monitoring forms, in response to the changing market of aquaculture gear.

Why should the litter produced in inland facilities be taken in consideration regarding the marine litter monitoring protocols?

The standardization protocols and characterization of marine litter should also apply, as far as possible, to the litter produced in inland facilities. This action would help to keep better track of all types of aquaculture waste.

Which are the needs related to monitoring schemes for floating and seafloor marine litter?

Improve the monitoring schemes for floating and seafloor marine litter. Standardization of the methodology, the measurement units and the categories of the filling form should be implemented at European level.

Which data could be used as indirect indicator to quantify marine litter from aquaculture?

Enforce marine litter monitoring in aquaculture plants using the correlation between biomass and material losses. Especially for mussel farming, biomass loss provoked by storms or any other environmental cause can be easily quantified by farmers. This can be used to estimate the gear loss (e.g. mussels nets) by correlating the two factors.

How can the seabed be monitored?

Monitor the seabed using specific technology (underwater drones, robots)

How can tagging help to monitor the marine litter that comes from aquaculture?

Implement the use of material tracking systems to trace e.g. buoys, etc. Oblige, by law, to tag the aquaculture nets and other big gear like buoys, so that they can be traced. Gear should be tagged by the manufacturer and by the farmer. Floats/buoys are usually found tangled with the nets on the seafloor. Therefore, it would be advisable to mark nets and floats/buoys together.

How can the aquaculture farmer estimate the marine litter related to his/her own facility?

Fill in a logbook, keeping track of the bought items, installed and/or used items, the major events happened and any gear loss or break.

Which are the technical innovations that can be potentially used to improve the moniotoring and quantification of the marine litter?

Monitor the seabed using specific technology (underwater drones, robots) Implement the use of material tracking systems to trace e.g. buoys, etc.

Collect and remove the marine litter nearby the aquaculture source

How can the collection systems help to remove the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Fix collectors at sea around the farms to collect waste at the sea surface. Increase the number of companies collecting and cleaning material in the water column and bottom (including divers). Increase efforts on innovation for automated seafloor waste collection systems.

How can the waste around the farms be easily removed?

Fix collectors at sea around the farms to collect waste at the sea surface.

Development of specific removal and recycling regulation of the marine litter related to aquaculture

Which are the top regulation priorities linked to the removal and recycling of the marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Develop specific decrees for the aquaculture Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. Put in place new legislation that favours a national strategy with local waste collection and waste managers for specific type of litter Make it mandatory for the aquaculture farmers to have a garbage collection program and regular cleaning of the facility in order to obtain the concession. Perform inspections to enforce regulations and deny concession renewals if removal and recycling criteria are not met.

How are the EPR schemes going to be enforced?

Develop specific decrees for the aquaculture Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. Put in place new legislation that favours a national strategy with local waste collection and waste managers for specific type of litter

Which should be the aquaculture farmer responsibility regarding the removal and recycling of the marine litter?

Make it mandatory for the aquaculture farmers to have a garbage collection program and regular cleaning of the facility in order to obtain the concession.

How can the removal and recycling regulations be enforced?

Perform inspections to enforce regulations and deny concession renewals if removal and recycling criteria are not met.

Promotion of synergies among aquaculture stakeholders and with other sectors regarding removal and recycling initiatives

How can the stakeholder responsibility regarding the removal and recycling of marine litter be rised?

Make every farmer responsible, as far as possible and considering the recycling and removal schemes in place and in development, for the management and the treatment of their own litter. Use the current farmer’s associations as the basis to establish collaboration schemes to facilitate recycling and removal activities. Collaborate with the fishing sector to collect garbage in the sea Enhance collaboration with Marine Protected areas authorities, environmental institutions and NGOs in order to ensure a constant support for marine litter removing. Create a communication channel that connects all involved stakeholders with the aim to recover some of the items that have been lost, broken or abandoned by the farmers. Set up collaborations between farmers, port authorities and gear producers to locate and establish collection points for disposal of aquaculture gear in the port reception facilities. Farmers could be responsible for bringing the gear to the port facilities (encouraged by implementing a deposit-to-be-returned system, for example) and, on the other hand, gear producers could economically compensate the port authorities for using their installations. Create synergies among the European countries to facilitate the setting up of removal and recycling systems.

How can the removal and recycling regulations be enforced?

Make every farmer responsible, as far as possible and considering the recycling and removal schemes in place and in development, for the management and the treatment of their own litter.

How can the farmer responsibility regarding the removal and recycling of marine litter be rised?

Use the current farmer’s associations as the basis to establish collaboration schemes to facilitate recycling and removal activities.

How can the government implication regarding the removal and recycling of marine litter be rised?

Enhance collaboration with Marine Protected areas authorities, environmental institutions and NGOs in order to ensure a constant support for marine litter removing.

How can farmers, gear producers and port authorities work together to improve the removal and recycling of marine litter?

Set up collaborations between farmers, port authorities and gear producers to locate and establish collection points for disposal of aquaculture gear in the port reception facilities. Farmers could be responsible for bringing the gear to the port facilities (encouraged by implementing a deposit-to-be-returned system, for example) and, on the other hand, gear producers could economically compensate the port authorities for using their installations.

Which should be the aquaculture farmer responsibility regarding the removal and recycling of the marine litter?

Make every farmer responsible, as far as possible and considering the recycling and removal schemes in place and in development, for the management and the treatment of their own litter.

Where could the gear disposal points be located to facilitate the removal and recycling of marine litter from aquaculture activities?

Set up collaborations between farmers, port authorities and gear producers to locate and establish collection points for disposal of aquaculture gear in the port reception facilities. Farmers could be responsible for bringing the gear to the port facilities (encouraged by implementing a deposit-to-be-returned system, for example) and, on the other hand, gear producers could economically compensate the port authorities for using their installations.

Identification of the roles of stakeholders involved in the removal and recycling activities of non-organic marine litter from the aquaculture sector

Which previous steps are necessary before the creation of the EPR system?

Establish a clear management and description of roles and responsibilities in each part of the process (collection, treatment, transport and recycling) before the creation of the EPR system.

Creation of feasible EPR schemes based on Circular Economy and 5Rs approaches

Which are the top priorities related to EPR schemes?

Consider the ideas, expectations and interests of the aquaculture gear manufacturers and importers regarding the EPR system, as they will be responsible for the waste management. The level of implication of the aquaculture farmers, the necessities to create a functional EPR scheme and the market value of the recycled products should be analysed and defined previously to setting up the EPR scheme. It is essential to add specific and easily accessible aquaculture gear collection points as close as possible to the aquaculture installations. In the case of the offshore farms, the collection points could be located in the port reception facilities. In the case of nearshore or onshore aquaculture facilities, waste collection points could be located nearby the farms, or gear producers could set a door-to-door pick up scheme. Aquaculture gear collection points could also be addressed to fisheries activities. Provide disposal points targeting specific material and/or gear, such as mussel nets, anti-predator nets, etc. In this way, concentrating bigger amount of waste in one point and hiring a company for the disposal operations can become economically feasible. Install some cameras around the collection points to avoid bad practices and/or vandalism. Support the creation of deposit schemes for cages and passive aquaculture gear to raise the return rate of those products (including non-valuable items and/or single-use-items), with the aim to promote the reutilization and the recycling of the aquaculture elements once they get to the end of their life cycle. The aquaculture deposit schemes could be shared with fishermen Deposit schemes, option 1: grant a discount on following purchases: the farmer brings back the used items to the seller/manufacturer and gets a discount on the price of the following purchase depending on the weight/volume/quantity returned. Deposit schemes, option 2: return a deposit: to purchase an order, the farmer pays not only for the bought items but he also leaves a deposit, which will be returned by the seller/manufacturer once the farmer returns the used items. Support and promote the upcycling processes to ensure the economical viability of the 5R’s schemes regarding the aquaculture gear. For example, using nets to produce more expensive items (e.g. nylon for textiles) can help to cover the costs associated to the EPR systems, avoiding extra economical efforts for farmers and consumers. Support the valorisation of the waste market (look for markets): create businesses that use another type of material (not just nylon for example) to assess the type of waste and increase the demand of such materials. Support the development of waste flows which include as much types of polymers as possible, and increase the number of plants that treat all types of polymers. Oblige farmers to fill in a logbook, keeping track of the bought items, installed and/or used items, major events happening and any gear loss or damage. Logbooks can help to generate information on the lifecycle of the larger gears like nets, the duration of their use, details on possible repairs, washes or treatments with anti-fouling products, etc. This information can also help to enlarge the lifecycle of the gear. Create a control system of the aquaculture nets that have reached the end-of-life. The control system should be as simple as possible and based on the idea of returning the old nets to buy new ones. Policy makers should provide the financial and organizational support needed to establish a specific aquaculture EPR system. Once the EPR system is in place, all involved stakeholders should implement the system as part of their daily work tasks. Apply financial fines to the farming companies that do not follow the EPR rules and do not discard properly the gear that has reached the end-of-life. These fines could include direct economic sanctions or disengagement from European funding, for example. Provide financial incentives to the companies that have a higher proportion of gear (e.g. nets) recycling and reusing. This could only be possible if the traceability system (including manufacturer and farmers tagging) works properly. Optimise existing recycling plants, including the cost reduction of bringing the aquaculture gear to waste management points. Therefore, prices should be adapted to the farmer volume production or economical benefits, not only to the volume of the gear that is collected and brought. "

Which is the role of the gear producers and importers regarding the EPR schemes?

It is possible that gear producers will switch to using other materials or to improve the gear design when they are responsible for the creation and maintenance of the EPR system

Which previous steps are necessary before the creation of the EPR system?

Consider the ideas, expectations and interests of the aquaculture gear manufacturers and importers regarding the EPR system, as they will be responsible for the waste management. The level of implication of the aquaculture farmers, the necessities to create a functional EPR scheme and the market value of the recycled products should be analysed and defined previously to setting up the EPR scheme.

How are the gear design and gear material related to the EPR schemes?

It is possible that gear producers will switch to using other materials or to improve the gear design when they are responsible for the creation and maintenance of the EPR system

Where could the gear disposal points be located to facilitate the removal and recycling of marine litter from aquaculture activities?

It is essential to add specific and easily accessible aquaculture gear collection points as close as possible to the aquaculture installations. In the case of the offshore farms, the collection points could be located in the port reception facilities. In the case of nearshore or onshore aquaculture facilities, waste collection points could be located nearby the farms, or gear producers could set a door-to-door pick up scheme.

Which should be the main characteristics of the gear and equipment disposal points?

Aquaculture gear collection points could also be addressed to fisheries activities. Provide disposal points targeting specific material and/or gear, such as mussel nets, anti-predator nets, etc. In this way, concentrating bigger amount of waste in one point and hiring a company for the disposal operations can become economically feasible. Install some cameras around the collection points to avoid bad practices and/or vandalism. Support the creation of deposit schemes for cages and passive aquaculture gear to raise the return rate of those products (including non-valuable items and/or single-use-items), with the aim to promote the reutilization and the recycling of the aquaculture elements once they get to the end of their life cycle. The aquaculture deposit schemes could be shared with fishermen Deposit schemes, option 1: grant a discount on following purchases: the farmer brings back the used items to the seller/manufacturer and gets a discount on the price of the following purchase depending on the weight/volume/quantity returned. Deposit schemes, option 2: return a deposit: to purchase an order, the farmer pays not only for the bought items but he also leaves a deposit, which will be returned by the seller/manufacturer once the farmer returns the used items. Optimise existing recycling plants, including the cost reduction of bringing the aquaculture gear to waste management points. Therefore, prices should be adapted to the farmer volume production or economical benefits, not only to the volume of the gear that is collected and brought. "

What can be done to ensure the economical viability of the 5Rs schemes?

Support and promote the upcycling processes to ensure the economical viability of the 5R’s schemes regarding the aquaculture gear. For example, using nets to produce more expensive items (e.g. nylon for textiles) can help to cover the costs associated to the EPR systems, avoiding extra economical efforts for farmers and consumers. Support the valorisation of the waste market (look for markets): create businesses that use another type of material (not just nylon for example) to assess the type of waste and increase the demand of such materials.

What can be improved regarding the recycling processes in the aquaculture marine litter frame?

Support the development of waste flows which include as much types of polymers as possible, and increase the number of plants that treat all types of polymers.

Which should be the aquaculture farmer responsibility regarding the removal and recycling of the marine litter?

Oblige farmers to fill in a logbook, keeping track of the bought items, installed and/or used items, major events happening and any gear loss or damage. Logbooks can help to generate information on the lifecycle of the larger gears like nets, the duration of their use, details on possible repairs, washes or treatments with anti-fouling products, etc. This information can also help to enlarge the lifecycle of the gear. Create a control system of the aquaculture nets that have reached the end-of-life. The control system should be as simple as possible and based on the idea of returning the old nets to buy new ones.

Which type of economical penalties could be applied to enforce the removal and recycling of marine litter?

Apply financial fines to the farming companies that do not follow the EPR rules and do not discard properly the gear that has reached the end-of-life. These fines could include direct economic sanctions or disengagement from European funding, for example.

Which type of economical incentives could be applied to enforce the removal and recycling of marine litter?

Provide financial incentives to the companies that have a higher proportion of gear (e.g. nets) recycling and reusing. This could only be possible if the traceability system (including manufacturer and farmers tagging) works properly.

How can fisheries and aquaculture activities collaborate?

Aquaculture gear collection points could also be addressed to fisheries activities.