FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2020
Sara Aubery, Business and Program Development
Net Your Problem LLC
sara@netyourproblem.com
760-889-2377
www.netyourproblem.com
12,000 Pounds of Fishing Gear Recycled as part of the California Drift Gill Net Transition Program
Driscoll’s Wharf, San Diego, CA - In a collaborative effort between government, NGO’s and fishermen, thousands of pounds of old fishing nets are being sent to recycling facilities to get a new life.
Net Your Problem (NYP), a fishing gear recycling company, collected drift gill nets from participating fishermen over the past few months. With support from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CADFW), the Ocean Protection Council (OPC), and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) these nylon fishing nets were processed and sent to recycling centers to be made into new products. The recyclers turn the nets into raw materials that can be used to make products such as sunglasses, kayaks, socks, bathing suits and even 3D printer filament. "We commend Net Your Problem's leadership in sustainably recycling drift gillnets," said Mark Gold, OPC executive director. "The state's drift gillnet transition program is critical for marine conservation and reducing bycatch of sensitive species".
Drift Gill Net recycling in California is just one of the many programs Net Your Problem is running to recycle end of life fishing gear. Collecting waste is the first step in a functioning circular economy and Net Your Problem loves the opportunity to work with coastal communities to contribute to a new paradigm that turns waste into resources. Since 2017, together with fishermen, NYP has recycled over 900,000 lbs of fishing gear waste. “Solutions based thinking is what drives us along here at NYP, as we forge ahead to create better solutions for fishing gear waste management”, says founder Nicole Baker.
Recycling these materials means saving space at local landfills, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption when the recycled pellets replace the need for virgin plastic. The California Drift Gill Net Transition Program also provides an opportunity for fishermen to receive compensation for voluntarily turning in their nets and shifting to other fisheries with lower bycatch. Initial funding for the Program was provided by OPC and through private donors coordinated by Oceana. Additional funds are still needed to allow more fishermen to participate.
To see and learn more about fishing gear recycling in North America, follow NYP on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn or at the website www.netyourproblem.com.
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