Every month, around 250 kg of fishing gear is collected by the NGO Zibel on Malta’s beaches and seabeds. The association wanted to go further by giving this waste a second life. To do this, two solutions have been implemented: recycling or reusing the waste by local artisans, and storing it for collection by the company NoFir, which is responsible for recycling it and incorporating it into new textile products. A wide-ranging communication campaign has been carried out to encourage more responsible practices and raise awareness of the impact of ghost fishing.
Main results of the project:
The project identified 10 collection sites for abandoned fishing gear around Malta. After verification in the field, 39 nets were recovered from 22 sites with the help of divers. The materials were cleaned, analysed and then reused or recycled. Three local artists transformed the nets into jewellery, floating key rings and a sculptural masterpiece installed on the seafront to raise public awareness.
Updated on 11/05/2025
