Tag: Marine plastics

• Call for experts – Fishing gear

  ECOS is looking for experts in the field of fishing gear to represent and defend environmental interests in the development of standards and related policies. Our experts provide us with technical and scientific input and represent ECOS in standardisation processes and multi-stakeholder discussions.

• Reeling in the gear: New standards to reduce plastic waste from fishing

  ECOS has been an active participant in the development of new European standards for the ‘Circular design of fishing gear and aquaculture equipment’. These standards will help to reduce plastics, microplastics, and other waste in our oceans that harm wildlife.

• Fact-checking plastic biodegradability in the marine environment

  Plastic fishing gear largely contributes to plastic pollution in our oceans. Biodegradable materials have been promoted as alternatives without consideration of their full impacts on the marine environment. In our 'blue' paper, we debunk the myths surrounding the biodegradability of plastics under marine conditions and highlight their potential negative effects on marine life and human activities. We call for a comprehensive international framework to address the full lifecycle of plastics in marine ecosystems, including those labelled as biodegradable.