Fish litter scheme will continue
A scheme to cut the amount of litter in our seas has secured another three years of funding but control will now move from Shetland to Aberdeen, it was revealed this week.
The KIMO project now has 112 fishing vessels from 16 Scottish ports, including Lerwick, Cullivoe and Scalloway, and the organisation wants to expand it further around the UK.
KIMO has now transferred management of its Shetland Fishing for Litter operations to the Shetland Amenity Trust. At the beginning of this year 18 Shetland fishing boats were signed up to the scheme.
Aberdeen-based co-ordinator Tom Piper said: “Fishing for Litter has been growing steadily over the last three years with over 117 tonnes of marine litter landed by 110 Scottish vessels.
“We are transferring our Shetland operations to Shetland Amenity Trust due to their valued experience in the field of project management, particularly with regard to marine litter.
“KIMO will still be providing strategic support and guidance, but the day to day running of the Shetland Fishing for Litter initiative will now come through Shetland Amenity Trust.”
Local KIMO representative John Mouat said: “KIMO encourage the fishing industry to become involved in Fishing for Litter. We supply the bags for the fleet to use and, through Shetland Amenity Trust, the waste is collected from Lerwick, Cullivoe or Scalloway and safely disposed of, with around 90 per cent of that waste recycled or used for heat recovery. I would encourage any Shetland boat to become involved.”
For further information or to enquire about registering a boat in the scheme, contact tom.piper@kimo.shetland.org (01224 664725) or mick@shetlandamenity.org (01595 694688).
