Pioneering sustainable fishing gear

In Puglia, coastal traditional fishing relies on passive gear such as gillnets, longlines, and traps made from durable synthetic fibres. Lost or discarded gear contributes significantly to marine pollution and 'ghost fishing'. The PE.S.PLA project united researchers, artisanal fishing operators, yarn and net manufacturers, governmental bodies, and regional institutions such as the Apulia Region to research and develop new biodegradable materials for fishing gear. This included sourcing biodegradable yarn suppliers, producing prototype nets, conducting field trials at sea to evaluate performance, all aimed at reducing microplastics and the environmental impact of artisanal fishing. 

By developing and testing biodegradable fibres to replace conventional plastics, the PE.S.PLA project directly addressed marine pollution from ghost gear and supported the EU and Apulia Region’s sustainable development objectives for fisheries innovation and sustainability. Even though initial trials revealed biodegradable yarns are not yet strong enough to replace synthetics, the project highlighted both the potential and limitations of eco-friendly materials. Ultimately, this pioneering initiative laid the groundwork for future innovation in the artisanal fishing sector.