Support Measures

Increase the awareness of all aquaculture stakeholders regarding the prevention of marine litter, preferably by means of online workshops/webinars 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. Emphasize the value of the good practices that are currently in place and being applied by the farmers. 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 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. 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. Promote clean-up volunteering programmes among all stakeholders and potential consumers. Raise awareness on the EPR scheme to the policy makers. Cooperation between gear producers and knowledge institutions can be mutually beneficial. A risk analysis previous to buying specific gear is important. The type of materials and coatings used is also important and is still being understudied. Developing labels can also be a mean of raising awareness among consumers. Increasing staff awareness of the need for re-using (rather than replacing new) equipment and fittings can be beneficial. Awareness raising workshops for aquaculture farmers can be beneficial, but in addition to raising awareness, they should be beneficial for the producers themselves. Solutions and good practices, for example, could be more commonly shared so that producers themselves see clear next steps to follow. Long-term jobseekers may be involved in clean-up activities in coastal towns. Improving the communication channels between the general public/consumers and the producers regarding the waste management would help to provide an extra value to the product (as a sustainable product) and a market demand at the same time as incentivizing to put in place “waste/lost or abandoned and collected items” management. Internal platforms and working groups for exchange of best practices and information between farmers.