The ECNC Group and the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) together with MEDASSET (Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles), Aquafil and Nofir held a workshop at the European Maritime Day 2015 entitled “Innovative business models for marine litter in Europe”.
The growing threat of marine litter and derelict fishing gear may have been at the core of the presentations and discussions but the emphasis was on the importance of solutions that are integrated in business models involving cross-sectoral collaboration. The DeFishGear project and the Healthy Seas initiative were showcased by the panellists. The DeFishGear project is carrying out fishing-for-litter activities, setting up derelict fishing gear management schemes in the Adriatic Sea and collecting in the process large amounts of litter and derelict fishing gear. Healthy Seas provides a good example for circular economy. On the occasion of the EU Maritime Day and the workshop, MEDASSET and Healthy Seas launched their collaboration in Greece. MIO-ECSDE also presented some first results of a UNEP/MAP supported Mediterranean-wide survey targeting mostly fishermen which explores various elements linked to marine litter and derelict fishing gear in the marine environment.
The workshop provided the possibility for panellists and audience alike to hone into the many aspects of such innovative business models, including environmental, technical, investment-related, stakeholder involvement, etc.
The event was moderated by Tatjana Hema, Programme Officer of UNEP/MAP MEDPOL while the panellists were:
Thomais Vlachogianni, Programme Officer of MIO-ECSDE. Watch her presentation »
Veronika Mikos, Senior Project Manager at the ECNC Group. Watch her presentation »
Vassilis Stamogiannis, Director of MEDASSET. Watch his presentation »
Maria Giovanna Sandrini, ECONYL® Brand & Communication Manager, AQUAFIL SPA. Watch her presentation »
Mr Øistein Aleksandersen, CEO, NoFir AS. Watch his presentation »
