Marine litter pollution has become a serious problem, increasingly affecting not only nature and the environment but also the daily lives of those who live and work at sea – the fishing industry.
As part of the FishNoWaste project, we have launched a joint education program in two fishing ports: Tribunj and Brižine. On January 22, 2025, we gathered various stakeholders in Brižine to discuss issues and practices related to environmental protection and reducing marine waste pollution.
Additionally, on January 28 in Tribunj, we assessed the current situation, identified existing challenges, and explored potential improvements. What role do fishermen play and do they see themselves as part of the solution? Find out more below.
Lack of waste disposal sites
Although fishermen already recognize the importance of environmental protection, they struggle with the question of what to do with the litter they pull out from the sea. They highlight the serious issue of not having a proper way to dispose of collected litter, as well as old nets, crates and other materials that are no longer in use. Despite their conscious and responsible efforts to clean the sea, they face a major challenge, the lack of suitable disposal sites and infrastructure on land.
– I have to carry the collected marine litter with me for five or six days because there’s nowhere to dispose of it. It needs to be taken care of somewhere. It can’t even go to Karepovac since they only accept household packaging, – said a fisherman from Brižine.
For many in Croatia, the system for collecting and managing passively caught waste, which is mandatory for fishermen, often does not function as it should. In other words, fishermen find themselves in a paradoxical situation: they are legally required to comply, yet they lack practical solutions on the ground. Waste disposal systems on land are still underdeveloped, with few existing options that are often ineffective. This issue has persisted for years, yet the relevant authorities have yet to offer a solution. Without proper infrastructure, fishermen’s efforts remain ineffective.
It is important to emphasize that, according to the current Directive, every landing site must be adequately equipped for waste management and port authorities (municipal or regional) are solely responsible for its implementation.
Unfortunately, there are additional challenges that further complicate the situation.
Interpretation of the act creates problems in practice
The retrieval of passively caught marine litter from fishing nets has led to frustration among fishermen. According to the law, fishermen are not the ones who generated the litter, yet by removing it from the sea and bringing it to shore, they have become its intermediaries. Not only is there no proper infrastructure for disposing of passively caught litter, but fishermen are also required to pay for its disposal. Instead of being encouraged to contribute to environmental conservation, the current legal framework places an additional burden on them, effectively making them pay for their ecological efforts.
– First and foremost, provide us with containers for disposing of passively caught waste and stop charging us for waste reception. If I’ve already brought it ashore, at least let me dispose of it for free, – said a fisherman from Tribunj.
Poor waste management on land
The problem of marine litter is largely linked to inefficient waste management systems on land. Fishermen often struggle with waste disposal because reception points are not properly equipped and the waste management system in many coastal towns is not fully developed. As a result, fishermen have no proper way to dispose of waste. In Tribunj, for example, the issue has been somewhat addressed, but such a system is not in place at other landing sites.
– The matter is very simple, or at least it should be. Port authorities are responsible for the ports they manage, meaning they should ensure the necessary reception infrastructure is in place. Fishermen should not be charged for disposing of passively caught waste. Only waste generated on board should be subject to fees. Everything is clearly defined by the Act, – said dr. Pero Tutman from the Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries.
Lack of control
In addition to the inefficiency of land-based waste management systems, numerous tourist boats, other vessels, and various activities at sea and along the coast also contribute to marine waste. The number of fishermen, sanitation workers and other stakeholders involved in waste removal is decreasing, while uncontrolled activities that generate waste continue to expand on a large scale.
– Fishermen couldn’t clean up the consequences of a single tourist season even in 100 years, – fishermans agreed.
How do fishermen envision sustainable fishing ports?
A range of ideas and proposals were presented, in which fishermen are seeking improvements to the current situation. Among the attendees, the idea of building infrastructure and establishing an effective land-based waste management system was discussed, along with financial support, further recovery efforts and even repurposing a certain number of fishing boats solely for waste collection.
What is crucial for them, they say, is ensuring the availability of appropriate containers for disposing of specific types of litter, such as styrofoam, torn nets, crates that are no longer in use and even passively collected litter. One of the proposals also includes a storage facility for old and damaged fishing gear, nets and crates, which would be collected by an authorized company.
Additionally, waste reduction could be practiced through the recycling and sale of processed materials as raw material for certain industries. Recovery efforts could be improved by acquiring equipment, such as compacting devices and crushing machines.
– Maybe, based on the fishing register, areas with the most frequent landing of fishing nets could be identified and those locations treated as a priority for container placement? – suggested a fisherman from Brižine.
The FishNoWaste project is an important step towards solving this problem, but stronger collaboration between the fishing sector, port authorities, local governments, utility companies and others is necessary. Improving infrastructure and cooperation among all stakeholders is not just a desire, but a necessity if we want to preserve our sea and coast in the long term.
A new cycle of workshops with fishermen will follow, while the fishing ports of Tribunj and Brižine will serve as pilot solutions where innovative approaches to sustainable waste management, developed through the workshops with fishermen, will be tested.
