Catchgreen was invited to present research findings from the piloting of gillnets in Kenya at the FAO side event to the INC5 negotiations in Busan, Korea. The event addressed innovative solutions for improving the sustainability of plastics used in agriculture and fisheries. The panel discussion provided insights on how biodegraded materials can be integrated into the global plastic pollution treaty, promoting discussions among negotiators and shaping future policy on impacts. Piloting of the biodegradable gillnets in Kenya have been successful and there is evidence to suggest that the nets will be efficient in reducing impacts of ghost nest. But as was highlighted in the discussion, more research needs to be conducted to prove the environmental impacts of substitution materials. Scientific evidence suggest that the biodegradable nets, if lost or abandoned, will break down into CO2 and water by the microorganisms that are found in the ocean. However, we still need to understand the biodegradation process in different marine environments and the impacts of water temperatures, UV and the presence of a variety of microorganisms. Catchgreen has developed a model for the deployment of the biodegradable nets in four different marine and fresh water locations with regular sampling and laboratory testing. The findings from these studies will be significant in understanding the potential impacts of the material in-situ. Giulia Carcasci Henrique Pacini GAIA BioMaterials AB Sigrid Hakvåg Sudhakar Muniyasamy Vincent Ojijo
Catchgreen
Environmental Services
Cape Town, WC 558 followers
On a mission to end ghost fishing and plastic pollution in our oceans, one biodegradable fishing net at a time
About us
Catchgreen is a cross-sector collaborative research project that covers the entire fishing gear production chain, from the development of a brand-new biodegradable compound for ocean use, filaments manufacturing, and testing, to piloting in real-life ocean conditions and prototype gear development through various project partners in Sweden, Norway, South Africa and Kenya. Through the partnership with GAIA Biomaterials, the Catchgreen project has developed an innovative compound of biodegradable biomaterials that is suitable for marine applications. If lost or dumped, Catchgreen fishing gear will disintegrate into biomass without any toxins or Microplastics. Each prototype is designed to match the performance of the conventional fishing gear. Further, biodegradable fishing gear is a solution to the stockpiling of plastics on land, as old and discharged biodegradable fishing gear can be collected and composted into high-quality compost for soil enrichment.
- Website
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www.catchgreen.net
External link for Catchgreen
- Industry
- Environmental Services
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- Cape Town, WC
- Type
- Partnership
- Founded
- 2021
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
Cape Town, WC 8001, ZA
Employees at Catchgreen
Updates
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Gill nets are the most commonly used nets by small-scale fisheries in Kenya, underpinning livelihoods and contributing to food security. Gill nets, however, are known for causing an unbelievable amount of damage and are also the net that is most likely to be lost at sea. Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) OFFICIAL, together with the Mikindani BMU, has piloted biodegradable gillnets. These fishing experiments demonstrate the same fisging efficiency as the plastic gill nets. We look forward to the rollout of biodegradable nets beyond piloting. The SMEP Programme GAIA BioMaterials AB Fish SA Alnet
𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔’ 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅, 𝑳𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒐𝒓 𝑶𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝑭𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑮𝒆𝒂𝒓 (𝑨𝑳𝑫𝑮), 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝑳𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑮𝒆𝒂𝒓 (𝑬𝒐𝑳𝑭𝑮) Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) OFFICIAL, led by Dr. Eric Okuku held a national stakeholders’ workshop on the management of Abandoned, Lost, or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear #ALDFG and End of Life Fishing Gear (EoLFG) in Kilifi County, Kenya. The event sought to raise awareness on the scale and causes of ALDFG, showcase the piloting of the use of biodegradable ropes and twines in gillnet modification, seaweed farming, and coral reefs restoration as well as provide a forum for public-private partnerships to spur the development of cost-effective Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) management solutions. The workshop was officiated by Fisheries and Blue Economy Secretary, Mr Rodrick Kundu (representing the PS). It brought together stakeholders from the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, State Department of Shipping, State Department of Blue Economy and Fisheries, Coastal County Governments, NEMA, @Kenya Association of Manufacturers, The Nature Conservancy in Africa Conservancy and JILL Industries. Stakeholders in the workshop called for collaborative efforts in fighting ALDFG/EoLFG, including the development of gear loss reporting procedures, gear marking, awareness creation, inclusion of fishing gears under extended producer responsibility schemes, and a shift to the use of environmentally sustainable nets made from biodegradable materials. The ALDFG surveys and gear modification were funded by the Glo-Litter project, FAO, SMEP and Catchgreen #MarineLitterPollution, #GillnetModification, #KmfriResearch,#Catchgreen, #FAO
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The phrase "a flower emerges from a pot of dirt" comes to mind when looking back at my experiences at INC5. As countries struggle to agree even on the scope of the international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, it has been striking how difficult it is to find solutions to the world's plastics pollution crisis. Catchgreen is delighted to be able to provide a practical and tested solution to marine plastic pollution and is looking forward to the rollout of biodegradable nets beyond piloting.
With INC-5 negotiations ongoing in South Korea, hear from Emma Algotsson from Catchgreen, who is working to develop and trial innovative biodegradable fishing gear and ropes for seaweed farming, in a collaboration of manufacturers, researchers and coastal communities in Sweden, South Africa and Kenya. Fishing gear is a plastics-intensive sector, and every year 640.000 tonnes of abandoned, lost or discarded gear enters the oceans, about 10% of global plastic pollution. Conventional gear persists for centuries in the environment. Catchgreen is supported by the The SMEP Programme, funded by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in cooperation with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Read more: https://lnkd.in/eyNXrZee Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) OFFICIAL GAIA BioMaterials AB Alexa May von Geusau David Vivas Eugui UNCTAD Ocean Economy and Fisheries
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Catchgreen reposted this
It might be on page 10 in a report, but having The World Bank talk about us and Catchgreen in their report on how to combat the ghost net problem is heavy. Fishing gear floating around in our oceans as death traps to marine wildlife is a big topic. And it is fantastic to be part of the solution! Any of our local authorities want to come over for a chat? Naturvårdsverket or Naturskyddsföreningen (SSNC) or Havs- och vattenmyndigheten? You are most welcome to say hi one day! #ghostnets #helsingborg #bioplastics #sustainablefishing https://lnkd.in/dKZAFu2y
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Catchgreen is give the spotlight on how to design fishing gear to aid in the remediation of ALDFG in the new ProBlue/World Bank report “Lost at Sea: Combating ALDFG” (page 10). Our biodegraded gillnets build on modified nets by the FAO and are being piloted by Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) OFFICIAL. If lost at sea, the nets will sink to the bottom of the sea, where microbes will breakdown the nets into biomass, without toxins or microplastics. The development of Biodolomer@Ocean was accomplished through a partnership between GAIA BioMaterials AB and with the support through The SMEP Programme, established by FCDO Services and implemented in partnership with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Peter Stenström Ulf Kullenius Konrad Rosén Niklas Rosenkvist Henrique Pacini David Vivas Eugui Maria Durleva Glen Wilson Alexa May von Geusau Loyiso Phantshwa María Amparo Pérez Roda Luke White Eric Okuku https://lnkd.in/dKZAFu2y
documents1.worldbank.org
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Catchgreen is participating in INC5 with the agenda of reducing waste from the fishing industy. Few countries drive this agenda and we hope for wide support for (1) a separate article that covers upstream and downstream levels of the fishing gear cycle (2) integration of existing international regulations and policy at the national and regional levels (3) Extended Producer Responsibility to shift the responsibility upstream and provide incentives to producers when designing their products (4) mitigate ALDFG at the design and production phase a. To last longer and enable repair and better recyclability (mono materials) b. To biodegrade without microplastics (5) improved fisheries management (6) focus on traceability systems backed by enforcement (7) improved end-of-life management (8) improved collection coupled with recycling and (9) implement measures to prevent trade barriers in sustainable alternatives and non-plastic substitutes.
🌍 As nations gather in Busan this week for the final negotiations on a global treaty to combat plastic pollution, what do entrepreneurs in the plastics sector have to say? 🔍 Under The SMEP Programme, a survey was conducted with 10 grantees working on innovative solutions within its plastics portfolio. These grantees - ranging from recyclers to novel material developers - shared insights on whether existing or potential post-INC control measures (both domestic and trade-related) would help or hinder their businesses. 💡 Key finding: Most participants view the introduction of control measures positively, seeing them as opportunities to enhance their operations and expand sustainable practices. An international agreement could reshape plastic market dynamics, impacting product design, recycling, secondary material markets, and specific applications like fishing gear and agricultural plastics. In such a rapidly evolving landscape, the voices of those on the frontlines of innovation are crucial. 📘 The survey is part of a broader study titled "Plastics management and recycling amid global governance change" that draws lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, exploring the business ecosystems, policy environments, and social and environmental impacts of SMEP-supported projects. Check the full study: https://lnkd.in/grJyDvTM For a visual guide on potential trade and domestic control measures across various stages of the plastics value chain: https://lnkd.in/gajZy9bG For details on SMEP's Plastic project portfolio: https://lnkd.in/gWcDuHg8. SMEP is funded by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented in partnership with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
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The clock is ticking - and the 5th session for the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty is starting tomorrow. WWF is reminding us of the urgency to stop the dumping of plastic waste in the ocean. Fishing gear significantly contribute to this and by replacing fishing nets with Catchgreen biodegradable nets we can reduce plastic pollution in our oceans, one fishing net at a time.Loyiso Phantshwa Fish SA Eric Okuku The SMEP Programme GAIA BioMaterials AB Alnet Konrad Rosén Peter Stenström Ulf Kullenius Luke White
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Catchgreen receives funding from The SMEP Programme to develop a new biodegradable compound for fishing gear. This week we are in Busan, Korea to present our research findings at a FAO funded side event to the #INC5 Plastic Treaty negotiations. GAIA BioMaterials AB Ulf Kullenius Konrad Rosén Peter Stenström Loyiso Phantshwa Luke White
Plastic pollution is connected to nearly all sectors of the economy. But if you were a developing country, where would you focus limited attention and resources? A new brief under The SMEP Programme, prepared in collaboration with Curtin University in Australia, examines plastic substitution in sectors that are often critical to the economy of many developing nations: food packaging, fisheries and agriculture applications. The upcoming full study digs deeper at packaging for food exports, including often-overlooked secondary and tertiary packaging essential for long distance trade; Fishing nets and fishing gear, including alternative materials and the unavoidable role of essential gear marking and traceability; and agricultural mulch and seedling tubes, a sector highlighted by FAO as often overlooked, using as a case Kenya’ agricultural sector as an example. This work also connects with analytical & policy efforts on biodegradation and compostability in cooperation with ECOS and on plastics labelling in cooperation with UNCTAD's consumer protection team. For the full summary study: https://lnkd.in/edeQDZwX Beyond words, see SMEP's concrete interventions developing innovative biodegradable fishing gear (https://lnkd.in/eyNXrZee) and packaging/Agri mulch alternatives (https://lnkd.in/eqf548Yr) SMEP is funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and implemented in partnership with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), in collaboration with UNCTAD Ocean Economy and Fisheries programme. Valentina Rivas Marxine Waite DAVID ONGARE Andrew Paris Sivendra Michael Arnau Izaguerri Vila Apoorva Arya Arpit Bhutani
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Happy plastic free world’s fisheries day
#WorldFisheriesDay Join us today to celebrate #WorldFisheriesDay in Siaya County as we acknowledge the efforts of hardworking fishers who play key roles in sustainably utilizing our aquatic resources. Sustainable fisheries ensure communities that depend on the fishing industry have economic stability, global food security, and the health of marine ecosystems is protected. #Foodsecurity, #worldfisheriesday, #Sustainablefisheries,#FisheriesAwareness,#OceanConservation,
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