Indonesia faces a significant challenge when it comes to handling worn-out and damaged fishing gear. The lack of effective waste management systems has led many fishers to abandon or burn used fish traps on beaches, instead of paying to have them treated as waste, which has a negative impact on the marine ecosystem. Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and The Norwegian Retailers' Environment Fund have now joined forces to address this problem.
“Here in Indonesia, we have many fishers, so we saw the need for a robust and sustainable solution for how we can deal with this. That is why we have established a waste chain in which the fishers are paid to hand in their fishing nets,” says Hanif Arzaq, campaign assistant for EFJ in Indonesia.
Hanif Arzaq of EJF hopes the project can help make fishing villages throughout Indonesia more environmentally friendly. Photo: Runar Lindseth
Plans to expand nationwide
Net Free Seas has established a system through which fishers can sell their used fishing nets to a recycling station, where they are recycled into new products. So far, around eight tonnes of fishing nets have been collected and recycled, generating income of almost NOK 40,000 for local communities.
Arzaq believes this proves that fish traps, which were previously treated as waste, actually have significant value. The ambition is to expand the project to all fishing villages in Indonesia.
– The project helps both the sea and the environment, he says.
Strengthens the local community
The tourist town of Pangandaran has already noticed the impact of the measure. Local free divers Awin and Acuy express relief that the abandoned fishing nets are being removed.
“They are very irritating when you’re diving,” Awin explains.
“In addition, fishing nets become entangled in coral reefs, which harms fish stocks,” Acuy adds.
The fishermen in the village, too, have seen the change brought about by the introduction of the recycling system.
“The project has truly helped fishers around Pangandaran, myself included. Our beach is clean, and there are almost no nets or ropes along our coastline any longer,” says Ade, a local fisher.
“It has strengthened both the economy and the local community. The whole village works together, and nobody is unemployed,” he concludes.
Divers Awin and Acuy describe the project as “superb”. Photo: Runar Lindseth
