INdIGO (INnovative fIshing Gear for Ocean

INdIGO (INnovative fIshing Gear for Ocean)
– 10 public and private partners fron France and Uninted Kingdom
– gathering in order to reduce marine plastic pollution generated by fisheries and aquaculture
– from the end of 2019 to June 2023
– with the support of €2.9M from the ERDF under the Interreg France (Channel) England programme.
The INdIGO project aims to develop the first fishing gear with a controlled lifespan that is biodegradable in the marine environment. It also intends to define a strategy to improve the recycling of fishing gear at the end of its life and to promote the circular economy.
The alternative solutions proposed by INdIGO are both preventive and curative in order to achieve a good ecological status in the France-Channel-England (FCE) area by reducing plastic pollution generated by the fishing and aquaculture industries.

INdIGO is a 45-month project funded by the Interreg VA France (Channel) England Programme, a European Union programme that encourages economic development between the south of the UK and the north of France.

The project brings together 10 French and English partners: University of Southern Brittany (project coordinator), NaturePlast, Smel, Filt, University of Portsmouth, CEFAS, University of Plymouth, IRMA, IFREMER and Marine South East.

Objectives
The INdIGO project has two main objectives: to develop the first fishing gear with a controlled lifespan that is biodegradable in the marine environment and to improve the recycling of fishing gear at the end of its life.
Objectives
The INdIGO project has two main objectives: to develop the first fishing gear with a controlled lifespan that is biodegradable in the marine environment and to improve the recycling of fishing gear at the end of its life.

All

The main expected result is to develop a prototype fishing gear that is resistant and biodegradable in the marine environment. Professionals from the fishing and aquaculture sectors have been involved in the project from the beginning to ensure that the new products meet their needs and that they can then use them. The aim is also to influence new regulations.

INdIGO is also working to improve the prevention and management of pollution generated by used fishing gear, by identifying existing collection and recycling channels and developing a mobile application to locate fishing gears that have already been lost.

Using four work modules, INdIGO covers the entire fishing gear production chain, from formulation, filaments manufacturing, to prototype net development. The deployment of the net at sea, durability tests and technical and economic analysis are also planned. Finally, a life-cycle analysis will be completed to avoid pollution transfer.

The involvment of SMEs aims to ensure the economic sustainability of the project by exploiting the results. This expertise in the sector should enable the INdIGO partnership to develop products adapted to the needs of the market, competitive with current alternatives, while reducing the impact on the environment.

INdIGO also includes an educational aspect through the development of a mobile application to locate gear already lost, related to fishing and aquaculture activities. This will enable the mapping of pollution in the cross-Channel zone area and will raise awareness of plastic pollution among divers, walkers and fishermen.