February 25, 2025 — To combat ocean plastic pollution, scientists in Norway are developing biodegradable fishing gear that naturally degrades without releasing harmful microplastics.
They aim to replace conventional synthetic ropes, nets, and lines – materials that can remain for centuries, entangling marine life and disrupting ecosystems.
Lost and discarded fishing gear, known as “ghost fishing gear,” is a major contributor to plastic pollution in the ocean. As these materials break down, they form microplastics contaminating marine food chains.
“Fishing gear remains in situ for a long time, and in practice, turns the ocean into a plastic landfill site,” said Christian Karl, researcher from SINTEF and polymer chemist leading the biodegradability testing for the D-Solve project.