Sea litter scheme praised by Trawlermen skipper
A well-known skipper in the north-east of Scotland has praised the Fishing for Litter Scheme, which originated in Shetland and is designed to clean up the nation’s seas.
Jimmy Buchan of the Peterhead-registered Amity II has been running the scheme aboard his boat for a few years and is convinced it is making a difference to the state of the seabed. The scheme provides boats with bags to collect marine rubbish, which is trawled up during their normal fishing activities, and bring it ashore for disposal.
Mr Buchan, renowned for his appearances on the BBC’s Trawlermen series, said: “As we return to certain areas I am picking up less litter. We are making a difference, of that I am sure. I am a keen supporter of this good stewardship scheme and would encourage those who haven’t to sign up to the scheme. Look after your back yard and it will look after you.”
The scheme is now running in all Scotland’s designated landing ports, meaning that skippers can collect bags and land litter wherever they fish. Increasing numbers of skippers are signing up to the scheme and those who are interested should call the project co-ordinator or visit the Fishing For Litter stand at the forthcoming Fishing 09 exhibition in Glasgow (Stand D49).
The scheme is sponsored by Scottish Natural Heritage, the Crown Estate, the Scottish Government, the Western Isles Council, Aberdeenshire Council, Highland Council, Total UK, Peterson SBS and the Fisherman’s Trust. The project also benefits from the time given to the project by the staff at all the participating harbours.
