Marine litter is recognized as a global issue threatening coastal and marine ecosystems around the world. Fishing activities significantly contribute to this problem, both directly and indirectly, and it is precisely within this industry that we need to work on finding a solution. This is achievable through changing the usual practices of fishermen and through special initiatives.

Due to its partially enclosed nature, the socio-economic importance of fishing, and the numerous fishing ports along the coast, the Adriatic Sea is particularly sensitive to pollution from fishing activities. Fishing ports are places where significant amounts of various types of waste are disposed of.

The FishNoWaste project aims to develop a synergistic strategy for comprehensive collection of litter generated in coastal fishing and deposited in fishing ports. By collecting data on the types, composition, and quantities of waste deposited in fishing ports (with a special emphasis on plastic), the intention is to improve protocols for its management. That includes reusing and recycling through the development and implementation of best practices and innovative techniques and materials, involving key stakeholders associated with fishing, including the fishermen themselves.

Project goals:

The general goal of the project is to contribute to the creation of a greener and more resilient environment in the Adriatic ecosystem shared by Croatia and Italy. In other words, the goal is to enhance the protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity, and green infrastructure (including those in urban areas) and to reduce all forms of pollution. More specific goals are:

1. collecting data on current practices and waste management issues in fishing ports, as well as the quantity and type of marine litter, and defining possible common strategies for reducing this waste;
2. designing, testing, and developing shared waste management models for implementation in fishing ports in Croatia and Italy so that litter related to fishing activities (especially plastic) can be reused, recycled, and reduced;
3. raising awareness among stakeholders (fishermen, fishing organizations, fish markets, ports, local and national authorities, and the public) about issues related to waste reduction, its reusing, and recycling in fishing ports;
4. developing a common policy and recommendations for waste management in fishing ports based on the concept of circular economy.

Project activities:

• state of the art, issues, and definition of effective models of waste management in fishing ports in Croatia and Italy;
• design, test, and development of shared waste management models and pilot implementation in two Croatian and two Italian ports;
• education and awareness-raising on waste management, reduction, reuse, and recycling;
• developing shared policy and management of marine waste recommendations.

Expected project results:

1. designing, proposing, and testing new waste management solutions related to fishing activities, as well as improving existing ones;
2. designing, testing, and proposing joint interregional strategies and action plans for reducing marine litter related to fishing in the northern and central parts of the Adriatic Sea and their improvement based on the results of the implementation of these solutions;
3. designing and implementing a joint education program in four fishing ports where fishermen will be informed about environmental protection issues and practices in fishing;
4. implementing a joint education program in Croatian and Italian secondary schools and universities.

Lead partner: University of Padova

Project partners: Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development Sunce, Institute of oceanography and fisheries, PUBLIC INSTITUTION RERA S.D. FOR COORDINATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF SPLIT DALMATIA COUNTY, Port Authority Split,  Cooperative M.A.R.E. S. c. a r.l., Company for Public Services in Chioggia S.p.A., Workers of the Sea Cooperative

Project duration: 30 months (from February 1, 2024, to July 31, 2026)

Total Project budget: 2.407.914,74 EUR
Programe funding from European Union (ERDF): 1.926.331.79 EUR
The Sunce’s total budget: 353.780,00 EUR
Sunce’s budget financed by the European Union (ERDF): 283.024,00 EUR
Project is co-financed by the Government Office for Cooperation with NGOs.

Project manager in Sunce: Tea Kuzmičić Rosandić, mag. biol. et oecol.

E-mail: [email protected]

Official project website: LINK