Support measures

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 for waste management Support for waste management

Image: Upcycling our world Image: Upcycling our world

Relevant type of aquaculture:

Fish Shellfish Seaweed

Relevant sea basin:

Mediterranean

Relevant stage:

Removal and recycling

Related Barriers:

  • Circular schemes based on recycling end-of-life nets to produce recycled nets does not seem to have, currently, economic viability since recycled nets are much more expensive than regular nets.

  • High-level policy makers show little awareness of the necessity to develop specific decrees for the EPR system. Besides, an EPR system is very complex and needs the involvement of many sectors and many public and private institutions.

  • Marine litter recycling (e.g. nets) is very difficult and complicated because of the degradation level. Besides, aquaculture gear sometimes has mixed different types of material, which makes recycling even more difficult and expensive.

  • Market is lacking to use all types of recyclable material.

  • The set up of the EPR schemes may imply an increase on the gear prices.

  • There is a lack of protocols for the cleaning and recovery of materials prior to recycling. There is a resistance to collecting all types of materials in ports. For example, dirty materials are not taken by all recyclers.

  • There is additional legislation needed (decrees) to put in place specific EPR schemes in Spain.

  • There are no plants adapted for recycling all types of material.

Related Good Practice:

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