Kommunenes Internasjonale Miljøorganisasjon
Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation
News and Media Latest developments from Fishing for Litter South West
Fishing for Litter: Incident highlights the real cost of marine litter - 02 September 2010
The skipper and crew of the Newlyn based trawler the "Elizabeth N", narrowly escaped a serious incident in the Bristol Channel last week, when their propeller got caught up in lost fishing gear, in poor weather. The large piece of trawl became caught in the propeller of the Elizabeth N around 2am on Saturday morning. After considering all options, Skipper Chris (Spanner) Spencer decided to request assistance from the RNLI in the interests of safety . The vessel was towed back to Newlyn by the Sennen Cove lifeboat from 35 miles north of Lands End - a 9 hour tow. This incident highlights the potential dangers and significant costs associated with marine litter for fishing vessels. Image courtesy of Jack Lancaster. Read the full press release...
First Scottish Bag Landed in South West Harbour - 22 June 2010
For the first time, a Scottish vessel has deposited a bag of litter in a harbour participating in the Fishing For Litter South West scheme. The bag was deposited in Newlyn Harbour last week and contained a variety of items including a large amount of rope and plastic. This once again highlights the importance of the Fishing For Litter scheme and demonstrates fishermen’s commitment to cleaning up our seas. Find out more about Fishing For Litter South West.
Fishing for Litter Bags Fourth Harbour in South West - 01 April 2010
Newquay fishermen will be taking part in an international project to help reduce marine pollution as the North Cornish port joins the ‘Fishing For Litter’ scheme this month. Newquay Harbour is the fourth port in the South West to sign up to the project which aims to remove 100 tonnes of rubbish from our seas by 2011. Read the official press release....
Fishermen across South Devon are being invited to sign up to the pioneering Fishing For Litter scheme as it gets underway in the ports of Brixham and Plymouth this week. Chair of Torbay Council's Harbour Committee, Councillor Robert Horne commented: "I am urging Brixham fisherman to join us in this campaign and preserve the marine environment. We must all work together to create a sustainable future for the next generation of fishermen." Read the official press release...
Cornish-based, contemporary eco-artist, Georgina Maxwell, is becoming increasingly well-known for her work concerning plastic marine pollution. At this year's Newlyn Fish Festival, she collaborated with 'Fishing for Litter South West' to raise awarness of the negative impact of marine litter. Georgina's sculpture drew a lot of interest at the festival and she also worked with children to create artwork themed around the project and the problem of marine litter. Read the official press release...
Environment Minister Endorses Fishing For Litter South West - 13 August 2009
The Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs visited Newlyn on Tuesday and met representatives of the pioneering Fishing For Litter South West project. The Minister spent time with local skippers involved in the scheme to hear their concerns regarding marine litter and its impact on the fishing industry. In support of the project the Environment Minister commented, "As one fisherman I met this morning pointed out to me, fisherment care a great deal about the marine environment and keeping it free of debris. That's why the Fishing for Litter project is so important and I hope more fishermen will get involved." Read the official press release...
Watch a clip of Hilary Benn's, UK Environment Minister, visit to Newlyn:
Listen to Hilary Benn, UK Environment Minister, discuss the Fishing for Litter project on BBC Radio:
Fishing for Litter South West, an initiative to help clear the sea of rubbish, was officially launched in Newlyn on Friday 13th March. Fishing for Litter South West is enlisting the help of local fishermen and encouraging them to bring ashore litter caught in their nets during fishing. Cornwall County Council's executive member for public protection Ken Yeo said: "I am delighted to support this project. Marine litter damages fishermen's livelihoods as well as the environment. The success of the project in Scotland shows that it is a problem that can be solved and it is in everyone's interest to work together to both improve the marine environment and clean up the litter." Read the official press release...