RAP 2: Commercial Fishing, Recreational Fishing and Aquaculture

OSPAR assessments have shown that fishing is an important source of marine litter in the North-East Atlantic. Fishing related litter recorded on OSPAR beaches includes items such as string and cord, rope, crates, polystyrene fish boxes, nets and pieces of nets, and fishing line. OSPAR assessments have also shown that aquaculture is an important source of marine litter in the North-East Atlantic. Plastic waste items from aquaculture include items such as oyster bags, ropes, fish nets, cones, crates and mussels’ nets. Furthermore, there is forecasted to be a significant increase in aquaculture activities in the OSPAR Maritime Area over the next 10 years.