Recycling gives unwanted fishing gear second life

A new initiative on the Isles of Scilly will give a second life to abandoned fishing gear while helping to protect marine species.

The Duchy of Cornwall has placed large wheelie bins around the islands for unwanted fishing nets which social enterprise Waterhaul will recycle into products including sunglasses and litter-pickers.

Marine mammals, fish and crustaceans can become entangled in 'ghost gear' abandoned at sea which is made up from nets, lines and ropes.

The Duchy said the first collection of gear was expected to be shipped from the islands later in the month.

St Mary's harbour master Dale Clark, said: "Abandoned fishing gear is a major threat to wildlife in and around the Isles of Scilly – it's often referred to as 'ghost gear' because even though it has been abandoned, it continues to trap and endanger marine animals including seals, fish and seabirds."

Waterhaul, based in Cornwall, said it had already collected and recycled more than 4,252 stone (27,000kg) of fishing gear from the sea.

Bryher fisherman Shamus Pender Frazer said: "We believe we have a responsibility as fisherman to look after and maintain the marine environment and to minimise, to the best of our ability, any negative impact we may inadvertently have on the ocean."

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].