TEFIBIO
Design and TEsts of BIO-degradable, bio-sourced and recyclable Fishing nets.
Context
The U.S. Academy of Sciences has estimated the total input of fisheries-related marine debris (fishing gear: net, trap,…) into the oceans to be approximately 640,000 tons per year (about 6% of marine plastic detritus). On a global scale, the fishing sector alone consumes nearly 1.5 million tons of technical textiles per year, which represents 2 billion Euros (source DGIS). In France, this market represents 40 thousand tons for 126 million Euros. The use of biodegradable fishing gear could therefore reduce the quantities of macro-waste at sea.
Objective
TEFIBIO aims to define, test and promote so-called “sustainable” fishing nets. Indeed, these new prototypes of fishing nets will try to take into account an economic dimension (recyclable and bio-sourced product) and an environmental dimension (biodegradability in the long term in the marine environment).
About the project
This project is led by the Marine Natural Park of Picardy Estuaries and the Opal Sea (Parc Naturel Marin des estuaires picards et de la mer d’Opale), in partnership with the FROM Nord producers’ organization.
The project concerns:
- The definition and design of trammel-type fishing nets (or “sole nets”), using biodegradable, bio-sourced, recyclable materials and without the production of microplastics;
- The testing of the net during experimental tides to evaluate its fishing capacity and technical constraints;
- The study of the recycling process of the waste from these biodegradable nets (industrial compost);
- The potential subsequent marketing of these nets.
