Norwegian Conference Investigates New Green Enterprise Ideas from Discarded Fishing Nets and Rope
Date of issue: September 20, 2016
An international conference focused on developing a circular economy for fishing nets and ropes in the Northern Periphery and Arctic Region (NPA) took place in Ålesund, Norway on the 1st and 2nd of September 2016. It was the first conference of the EU funded research project Circular Ocean and saw over 50 delegates attending from across Northern Europe, Scandinavia and beyond.
The event featured speakers from Norway, Denmark and the UK and brought together stakeholders to examine current conditions and opportunities in developing a circular economy and green enterprises based on recycling and reuse of plastics in fishing nets and ropes as well as to look at mapping important prerequisites to incentivize green enterprise development.
Speakers came from a variety of organisations and backgrounds including The Norwegian Environment Agency, The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the Global Ghost Gear Initiative and the Healthy Seas initiative. Novel research was presented by members of Universities, whilst private sector businesses represented different aspects of the recycling process from collection to reprocessing to new product development.
Many topics were examined including the recycling of fishing nets, ways of combating marine plastic waste, tools and solutions for keeping coastlines clean and practices and systems for reusing fishing nets. The conference also looked at research into reusing fishing nets for concrete reinforcement for the building sector and product opportunities of recycled plastic waste. One of the final sessions focused on business opportunities in a circular economy with an example of innovative business models for marine litter being presented followed by an opportunity for experts and delegates to exchange ideas and experiences on how to establish green business models based on recycling and reuse of fishnets and ropes.
Annik Magerholm Fet, professor and director at NTNU Sustainability in the Norwegian University of Science and Technology said “We are delighted to be involved in this innovative project and to have hosted it in our region. I believe the research and business models presented have broadened our understanding of the opportunities which can be harnessed from discarded fishing nets and ropes. The NTNU will continue to play a leading role in the Circular Ocean project both through our research and in discussions and debates at future events.”
Exhibited at the event was merchandise produced from recycled fishing nets and ropes. This included swimwear, jackets, socks, mats, jewellery, sunglasses, carpet tiles and skateboards which are produced by a range companies from across Europe and the Americas. It is interesting to note that the fabric used in all the recycled clothing exhibited at the conference is regenerated nylon made from recycled fishing nets which is manufactured by the company ECONYL® (www.econyl.com).
These cutting edge innovations stimulated much interest and provided a tangible basis for discussions around building a circular economy and green enterprises from discarded fishing nets and ropes. The conference organisers and project partners believe the presentations, discussions and exchanges at this event has informed the projects research, contributed to the development of eco-innovative ideas and will make a significant impact in furthering the creation of project resources including case studies, feasibility studies, and examples of pilot work.
Circular Ocean Conference – Norway, September 1st-2nd 2016
