Sustainable fishing

Sustainable fishing

Sustainable fishing is about preserving enough fish in the sea, protecting their habitats, and ensuring the livelihoods of fishing communities. NorTrap is actively working to reduce the loss of fishing gear and plastic pollution – two factors that currently cause significant harm to marine life.

Ghost gear in the ocean

Every year, around 640,000 tons of fishing gear are left in the ocean. Most of this is made of plastic and breaks down very slowly. The result is long-lasting pollution that continues to affect the marine environment for many years.

Ghost gear accounts for approximately 10% of all waste in the ocean, with particularly high concentrations in remote areas. A well-known example is Great Pacific Garbage Patch – a floating accumulation of plastic covering about 1.6 million km².

Consequences for the sea and coast

Abandoned fishing gear:

• Kills fish, shellfish, and other marine life
• Pollutes coastlines and seabeds
• Reduces fish stocks over time

Storms and rough seas are part of the cause, but in some areas, weak regulations and economic challenges also play a role. When fuel and time are scarce, equipment may be abandoned rather than retrieved.

NorTrap's approach

NorTrap develops smart and practical solutions that make it easier to recover lost fishing gear. The goal is to reduce ghost gear, protect the marine environment, and contribute to more sustainable fishing – for the benefit of both nature and the fishermen who depend on it