29.03.2021

CLEANATLANTIC acknowledged on a resolution adopted by the EU Parliament

This project contributes to reinforcing the EU initiatives for the protection and improvement of the environmental status of the seas

The European Parliament has recently adopted by a large majority the report of MEP Catherine Chabaud on the impact on fisheries of marine litter.

This report considers the results of a socioeconomic study developed within the framework of CleanAtlantic project. The study analysed the perceptions of Galician fisherman on marine litter and revealed that 80% of those surveyed would be willing to participate in litter fishing programs if mechanisms are established to facilitate such work. The results also concluded that for most of the professionals in the sector, the trawl, longline and gillnet wastes are a difficulty for their activity and highlighted the need to increase awareness, both in the sector itself and in society in general, to avoid the arrival of more litter to the sea.

The CleanAtlantic study was presented in a virtual seminar organised by the Intergroup Searica (Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas) of the European Parliament, where this and other socio-economic studies on the impact of marine litter on the fisheries, tourism and aquaculture sectors in several Atlantic regions were discussed.

CleanAtlantic thus contributes to reinforcing the European Union's ongoing initiatives for the protection and improvement of the environmental status of the seas, as well as for the study of possible synergies with other regions.

CleanAtlantic is financed by Interreg Atlantic Area Programme and aims to improve knowledge about and the capacity to monitor, prevent and reduce marine litter, and to increase awareness of its impact. Coordinated by Centro Tecnológico del Mar (CETMAR) in Vigo, the partnership consists of 19 organisations coming from 5 European countries: Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal.

Published on: 2021-03-29