Project Redes de España: recovery and reuse of nets and gear

The objective of the Redes de España project is to recover discarded nets and gear from the Spanish fishing sector to promote the circular economy. It is developing a regulatory framework that ensures sustainable management and traceability of these wastes throughout the entire transformation process, which will be certified by a national certificate.

The Redes de España project, carried out within the framework of the Pleamar program of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge (MITECO), will run until 2026 and aims to recover at least 100 tons of nets and gear. It also includes communication, training, and awareness actions to involve society in the transition towards a more sustainable economy.

Regarding the aforementioned regulation, it will define key processes, from the collection and treatment of gear and nets to their valorization as reusable materials, ensuring their return to the market with sustainability standards. It is worth mentioning that the multisectoral committee has already made significant progress towards this goal, and at its last meeting on December 18, the final considerations of the expert group were discussed.

The multisectoral committee integrates key stakeholders from all sectors involved in the sustainable management of fishing nets. It includes the fishing sector, through the Spanish Confederation of Fisheries (CEPESCA) and the National Federation of Fishermen's Guilds (FNCP), port authorities (AP Vigo), suppliers and recyclers (Eurored Group) and certification entities such as AENOR. Representatives from the field of valorization and research (CTAG and Fish and Food Technology), responsible for investigating new applications and uses for the new recycled materials; administrative bodies such as the Biodiversity Foundation and social organizations like WWF, who lead the environmental awareness efforts, also participate.

Among the main objectives of the committee are to ensure an inclusive and feasible regulation for its implementation, as well as its review and continuous feedback. From this, the project consortium will work on the design of an efficient and sustainable system for the collection and treatment of fishing nets, ensuring that sustainability criteria are met at each stage of the process. Finally, coordination with sector operators will be promoted, encouraging their progressive adherence to the established certification system, to ensure the correct implementation and positive impact of the project.

Redes de España represents a joint effort to address the environmental challenge of fishing waste. This project not only protects marine ecosystems but also drives the circular economy, integrating recycled materials into industries such as automotive, shipbuilding, and aeronautics.

The project is led by CEPESCA, along with partners FNCP and the Galician Automotive Technology Center (CTAG). It also has the collaboration of the Spanish Technological Platform for Fisheries and Aquaculture (PTEPA) and the AMICOS Association.

“This project is developed with the collaboration of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, through the Pleamar Program, and is co-financed by the European Union through the EMFAF (European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund)”.