Fishing for litter

The scheme runs in the UK and several other European countries and here in the UK it's organised by KIMO UK. KIMO stands for Kommunernes International Miljøorganisation or Local Authorities International Environmental Organisation and was founded in Denmark in 1990 with a view to protecting the marine environment.

The scheme works on a very simple premise, fishers are given re-usable bags to collect any old fishing gear or marine litter they come across in their normal activities. This is then collected in the bags and brought back into harbour where it’s deposited in dedicated waste containers. By removing this waste from the sea, the fishers are helping to protect the marine and environment and wildlife. 

Setting up the scheme here in Orkney initially involved liaising with the Fishing for Litter team in the UK. The team provide everything needed to set up the scheme including the reusable bags, all the literature and signage as well as setting up the the waste collection. They were also able to give us the benefit of their wide experience of running the scheme in other ports.

The first practical step was the to go and visit the two ports chosen to get the scheme started here in Orkney – Stromness and Kirkwall. I visited both harbours where the Pier masters and staff were able to show me round the piers. We talked through the scheme and then began work on the logistics and were able to choose the locations for the waste container needed to collect the waste brought on shore. Ensuring that it was in a safe location for port operations whilst also being easily accessible for fishers to use. We also liaised with the Orkney Fisheries Association who were kind enough to put information on the scheme and how to join in their newsletter.

The first boats were signed up in May 2024 and the hope is to keep adding until all boats are signed up. In order to sign boats up I’ve visited both Stromness and Kirkwall on a number of occasions speaking to local owners about the scheme. So far boat owners have been very receptive and appreciate the benefits of the scheme. It’s great to see that Orkney fishers are so invested in the environment.

Fishing for Litter is an entirely voluntary scheme and its our fishers who make it work. I think it’s important to recognise this and I’m keen to publicise their efforts. One of our owners at Stromness Harbour came across some back rope whilst out, which had become caught up in the rope for his creel. He was able to retrieve the rope and put it in two half tonne Fishing for Litter bags and bring it back to shore. I put together a piece to go out on social media to highlight this success story.

Scottish fishers have brought ashore over 2300 tonnes of marine litter since the scheme started in Scotland in 2005. The number of ports involved continues to grow year on year and it’s a very worthwhile scheme to be involved in. It's exciting to see it under way in Orkney and I'm looking forward to working with more Orkney fishers to help the scheme go from strength to strength.