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Aquaculture has rapidly emerged as a crucial sector for global food security, but with this growth comes significant environmental challenges, particularly marine pollution from discarded fishing gear.
We're proud to announce that our very own Koen Van Goethem, CEO of I-Coats NV and Chairman of CEN/TC 466 at the European Commission, recently shared his expertise on these pressing issues as a guest on "The Future is Circular" podcast, offering valuable insights into creating a more sustainable future for the industry.
The Growing Challenge of Marine Pollution
The scale of the problem is staggering. Between 500,000 and one million tons of ghost fishing nets and other fishing equipment are abandoned in the ocean annually, constituting approximately 10% of all marine litter.
These ghost nets make up nearly half of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which now spans an area three times the size of France. Beyond environmental damage, this represents significant material loss and poses dangers to marine ecosystems worldwide.
"The fishing and aquaculture industries are at a critical crossroads," explains Koen in the podcast. "We must address the environmental impact of discarded fishing gear while ensuring the sector remains economically viable and productive. This requires innovative solutions and regulatory frameworks that encourage responsible practices."
EU's Regulatory Response: Transforming the Industry
The European Union has taken decisive action to combat this issue through several key initiatives that Koen discusses in depth during the podcast.
Starting January 1, 2025, the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive requires all Member States to implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs for fishing gear containing plastic. This transformative approach means companies selling fishing gear must now take full responsibility for its entire lifecycle-from production to waste collection, recycling, and raising awareness about proper disposal.
This shift represents one of the most significant regulatory changes in decades for the fishing gear industry, requiring adaptation from manufacturers, distributors, and users alike. While implementation varies across EU countries, with Scandinavian nations leading the way, the directive creates a unified framework for addressing the environmental impact of fishing gear throughout Europe.
Pioneering Standards for Circular Design
As Chairman of CEN/TC 466, Koen has been at the forefront of developing the recently published EN 17988 series of European standards on the circular design of fishing gear and aquaculture equipment. These groundbreaking standards provide a comprehensive framework to support circular design and life-cycle management of fishing gear.
"The EN 17988 series represents a significant milestone in promoting circularity within the fishing gear industry," Koen notes during the podcast. "These standards guide producers and designers in creating equipment that aligns with circular economy principles, covering all aspects of a product's life cycle and ensuring materials can be reused, repaired, or repurposed effectively."
Key Components of the Standards:
- Design guidelines promoting durability, repairability, and recyclability
- Material specifications that facilitate end-of-life processing
- Frameworks for collection and recycling schemes
- Technical specifications defining essential implementation terms
I-Coats' Innovative Solutions
At I-Coats, we're proud to be contributing to this important transition through our innovative coating technologies. Our water-based coating solutions, such as ICO-FIX 70/30, are specifically developed for the impregnation of netting made from Polyamide or HMPE fibers used in both wild fishing and aquaculture. These coatings represent a significant advancement over traditional solvent-based alternatives.
"Our water-based coatings release no solvents during processing, demonstrating our commitment to environmental responsibility," explains Koen. "They're designed to enhance the performance and longevity of fishing nets while minimizing environmental impact. A perfect example of how innovation can address both practical industry needs and sustainability concerns."
Beyond Recycling: Embracing True Circularity
During the podcast, Koen emphasizes that addressing the challenge of marine pollution requires moving beyond recycling to embrace true circularity. As noted in wider discussions about circular economies, "For a long time, circular economy strategies have focused on the lower end of the waste hierarchy: recycling. While recycling remains important, it is merely a reactive measure to mitigate waste, rather than a proactive shift towards sustainable resource management".
The key to unlocking circularity lies in product design. By integrating eco-design principles such as modularity, durability, and recyclability, businesses can extend product lifespans, minimize waste generation, and reduce dependency on virgin materials.
I-Coats is leading by example through its development of coatings that not only improve performance but also contribute to longer-lasting fishing gear that's less likely to be prematurely discarded.
Creating a More Conscious Sector
Koen's vision for a more conscious aquaculture sector combines regulatory compliance, technical innovation, and cultural shifts within the industry. In the podcast, he outlines several critical components of this transformation:
- Improved gear design focused on longevity and recyclability
- Effective collection schemes for end-of-life equipment
- Development of recycling technologies specific to fishing gear materials
- Education and awareness programs for industry stakeholders
- Collaborative approaches involving producers, users, and regulators
"Creating a truly circular economy in aquaculture requires all stakeholders to recognize their role and responsibility," Koen states. "At I-Coats, we're committed to being part of the solution through continued innovation and collaboration with industry partners."
Listen to the Full Conversation
We invite you to hear more of Koen's insights by listening to the full episode of "The Future is Circular" podcast. In this engaging 8-minute conversation, Koen delves deeper into the challenges facing aquaculture, innovative solutions being developed, and the collaborative effort needed to create a more sustainable future for the industry
As the aquaculture industry continues to evolve, I-Coats remains committed to developing innovative solutions that enhance performance while promoting environmental responsibility.
Through leadership in both product development and industry standards, we're proud to be at the forefront of creating a more circular and sustainable future for fishing and aquaculture equipment.
