Abstract:
Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) is a non-profit organisation based in Gqeberha, South
Africa, with a vision where the people of Africa and their seas flourish together. One of
SST’s projects focuses on sea-based sources of waste with the aim of reducing all plastic
waste (both garbage and fishing gear) that originates from the fishing and maritime
sectors. Garbage and fishing gear impacts on maritime transport as it can become
entangled in ship rudders, thereby impeding movement, and is costly to remove. Activities
of the project include fishing gear waste surveys to determine the presence of gear waste
in the environment, engagements with recreational and commercial fishers, and
collaboration with port waste management authorities, to develop interventions aimed to
reduce fishing and maritime waste. Recommendations to reduce, prevent, and mitigate
abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear in the environment are already developed
globally. The project is currently developing a guide that takes the global best practice
recommendations and applies them to suit African countries. A draft of the best practice
recommendations will be presented.
