Clean Nordic Oceans

A Nordic network to exchange knowledge and experience about methods and measures to reduce the effects of ghost fishing, littering of the oceans and to increase recycling from commercial and recreational fishing.

Marine Litter

Marine litter is a high priority, both nationally and internationally for the Nordic countries. One of many different sources of marine litter is the loss of fishing gear and components from lost gear. All the Nordic countries have varying amounts of commercial and recreational fisheries and the CNO project is focusing on lost fishing gear.

Ghost Fishing

Fishing activities anywhere in the world leads to the loss of fishing gear with the subsequent danger of ghost fishing. The effects of ghost fishing varies with the type of fishing gear. Ghost fishing is a hidden exploitation of marine resources that leads to unwanted mortality of marine life. Fishing gear is often made of plastic with long durability and some gear may keep on fishing for decades.

Recycling

Recycling is a process to convert waste materials into new materials and is a key component of modern waste reduction. Recycling can prevent the waste of potentially useful materials and reduce consumption of fresh raw materials. Currently, methods for handling and recycling fishing gear are being developed.

LATEST NEWS

30.05.2018

App to help reduce ghost fishing in recreational fishing

For several years, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries has had an app available with information regarding recreational fishing. In 2017, the app was updated to include reporting of lost your fishing gear. A new version will be available during summer 2018, where divers can report if they retrieve any ghost gear from the sea. Furthermore, the data will be sent to Norway’s largest research institution (Institute of marine research) to contribute in research and mapping the problem with ghost fishing

09.05.2018

Circular Ocean conference and an innovation competition

The international Circular Ocean conference in Ålesund 18th-19th of April 2018 had participants from all over the world. In conjunction with the conference, it was also launched an innovation competition to address the problem by seeking new product concepts that utilize plastic.

18.04.2018

Article series - status Sweden

The efforts of the Swedish agency for marine and water managemnet (Swam) are aimed at making an impact, both in Sweden and internationally, to decrease the amount of waste that is being dumped in the world’s seas and oceans. This involves, for example, providing financial support to projects focused on stopping or limiting marine pollution, along with managing the waste that has already been dumped at sea.

Upcoming EVENTS

23.10

Runde environmental center, Norway

Clean Nordic Oceans workshop 23 - 25. October 2018

Clean Nordic Oceans second workshop will be held in October 23-25 on beutifull Runde environmental center close to Ålesund in Norway. The first workshop will deal with lost gear, ghost gear and fishery related marine litter. The second workshop will include reception, handling and potential recycling of discarded fishing gear and ghost gear.

19.11

Arrecife, Lanzarote, Spain

MICRO2018 Fate and Impact of Microplastics: Knowledge, Actions and Solutions (19-23. November 2018)

While the impacts of microplastics in marine ecosystems have been reported in the literature since the 1970s, many questions remain open. MICRO 2018 provides an opportunity to share available knowledge, fill in gaps, identify new questions and research needs, and develop commitments to operationalise solutions; MICRO 2018 will be a chance to reconvene, share what we have learned, and generate momentum for the work that remains to be done.