Towards a circular economy for fishing nets
Net recycling facility is officially launched
SOUTH AFRICA: “The solution we see here today, the recycling and repurposing of end-of-life fishing gear, provides a glimpse of what a sustainable future can look like. This is how we build resilience in our blue economy, ensuring that economic activity supports environmental protection.”
Capturing the ethos behind the new net recycling facility at the official launch yesterday, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George commended the initiative noting that it supports South Africa’s national commitments under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act.
The containerised “micro-recycling pod”, South Africa’s first harbour-based net recycling facility located at Collier Jetty at the V&A Waterfront, processes end-of-life fishing nets into high-value raw materials for reuse in plastic manufacturing.
The launch of this pilot project is led by OCEAN Action Network (OCEAN) and Ocean Plastic Technologies (OPT), while the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA) supported the project by securing funding from the Marine Stewardship Council’s Ocean Stewardship Fund. The V&A Waterfront also supported the project by donating space to host and operate the facility.
“It’s about protecting marine ecosystems, supporting South Africa’s fishing communities, and building a model that can be replicated in other harbours around the country and across the continent.”
“This is more than just a recycling project,” said Estelle van der Merwe, Managing Director of OCEAN Action Network. “It’s about protecting marine ecosystems, supporting South Africa’s fishing communities, and building a model that can be replicated in other harbours around the country and across the continent.”
The recycling pod, housed in a converted shipping container, can shred, wash, dry and densify up to 100 kilograms of used nets per hour. By transforming discarded fishing gear into clean plastic flakes, the facility prevents waste from reaching landfills or the ocean, reduces the risk of ghost fishing gear, and creates new economic opportunities.
Johann Augustyn, Executive Secretary of SADSTIA, highlighted the project’s alignment with the MSC Fisheries Standard: “Mitigating the impacts of ghost gear is essential for healthy oceans. We hope this South African pilot inspires wider adoption of innovative, technology-based recycling solutions.”
With the recycling pod now fully operational, the next step is to scale the model. OPT’s self-contained plant is designed for easy replication: additional containers can be deployed to other harbours.
“This project shows what’s possible when industry and innovators work hand-in-hand,” said Oliver Nudds of OPT. “By densifying and cleaning plastic on-site, we’re creating a resource rather than a waste problem – and building a foundation for long-term sustainability, job creation and economic upliftment.”
The net recycling project aims to create a scalable, circular economy solution for marine plastic waste right at the harbour’s edge. It will also create awareness of the importance of recycling among residents and visitors to the V&A Waterfront.
Minister George concluded, “Our oceans are the lifeblood of South Africa’s environmental and economic future. Initiatives like this show the power of partnership and innovation in driving real change. When we work together across government, business and civil society, we turn waste into opportunity and stewardship into action.”
PHOTO: Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment joins the team behind the new net recycling facility at the V&A Waterfront to celebrate this important milestone. (SOURCE: Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment)
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