A recent scientific article in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences highlights the severe impacts of abandoned fishing nets and other plastic pollution in the oceans. These nets not only pollute the marine environment but also endanger, injure, and kill marine life such as fish, dolphins, whales, seals, and sea turtles. Once abandoned, these nets can drift for long distances and persist in the sea for extended periods.
Eliminating marine plastic pollution and reducing the abandonment of fishing nets is a global effort that requires awareness and action from everyone. Many non-profit and government organizations are working on solutions, and an increasing number of companies and entrepreneurs are creating products from recycled ocean fishing nets, raising awareness about this critical issue.
Seiho Engineering’s Contribution
Seiho Engineering helps combat ocean plastic pollution by providing shredders that cut abandoned fishing nets into small fragments, making them easier to recycle.
Ocean Plastic Pollution and Discarded Fishing Nets
Ocean plastic pollution is a global issue with significant negative impacts on marine and global ecosystems. Discarded nylon fishing nets, estimated at 640,000 tons annually, are a major part of this pollution. These “ghost nets” can remain in the marine environment for long periods, trapping and harming marine mammals, sea birds, and fish, including whales, dolphins, sharks, seals, and sea turtles. On average, each net entangles and harms 30-40 marine animals.
How can this problem be solved?
Nylon fishing nets, while durable and harmful, are also easy to collect, reprocess, and reuse. Companies like Adidas, Interface, Volcom, and Bureo are creating products from recycled nets, demonstrating the potential for positive use and encouraging further recycling initiatives.
Before manufacturers can use abandoned fishing nets, they must be cut into small fragments for easy transport and handling. Shredder manufacturers like Seiho Engineering play a crucial role in this recycling process.
Contact us, to learn how we can assist with handling abandoned fishing nets.