Biodolomer®Ocean for fishing nets

Last updated on 6 February 2025

Background Information

GAIA Biomaterials, in collaboration with South African-based partners – Catchgreen, Kompost-it, FishSA, and Alnet – are replacing harmful polyethylene fishing nets with biodegradable nets in an innovative application of Biodolomer®Ocean, a polybutylene succinate (PBS) based biodegradable polymer. These biodegradable Biodolomer®Ocean nets are engineered to match the performance of conventional fishing nets, but if lost or dumped, these nets will disintegrate into biomass without leaving behind any toxins or micro-plastics.

Plastic pollution, due to lost or discarded fishing nets known as ghost nets, is one of the most significant plastic pollutants in the ocean and pose a massive risk to marine wildlife and coral reefs. It is estimated that 0.6 million tons of plastic waste from fishing nets are generated each year. If fully implemented worldwide, replacing plastic materials in fishing nets with Biodolomer®Ocean and other biodegradable materials could potentially remove approximately 10 million tons of waste from landfills and the sea. Through several pilots in Kenya and South Africa, two major fisheries and marine biodiversity areas, GAIA Biomaterials aims to develop and promote the transition to and uptake of biodegradable fishing nets without compromising fishing performance or livelihoods. Through technological innovation, awareness-raising, and policy development, the project allows the fishing industry to rebalance its relationship to the ocean and promote an environmentally sustainable fishing industry.

The primary outputs and targets for this project include:

New biomaterial compound for marine applications with properties comparable to high density polyethylene (HDPE)
New material tested for manufacturing, with testing manufacturing settings to achieve desired strength and functionality
Piloting results from various applications that demonstrate similar or improved efficiency as HDPE applications
Laboratory testing, with physical, chemical and microbial testing, to demonstrate the biodegradation in seawater over time
Life cycle analysis
Socio-economic impact study
Business plan on how to make Biodolomer®Ocean competitive and affordable
Advocacy engagement reporting

Updates

Catchgreen has been focused on the future commercialisation of Biodolomer®Ocean through licensed sale of various marine applications.

Following the successful piloting by KMFRI that has proven the functionality of Biodolomer®Ocean for seaweed farming, a decision was taken to expand piloting outside of the SMEP-funded project in three locations. Initial discussions have been held to start piloting in 2025.

Outreach:

Catchgreen attended and had an expo at IceFish2024 in Reykjavik, with the purpose to gauge the commercial interest in biodegradable fishing nets and to get an understanding of possible future commercial applications in northern Europe. The applications piloted by the Artic University (as part of the Dsolve project) include snooded hooks for long lines, chafing mats for trawl nets and crab pot netting.
Catchgreen also attended the Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit in Mombasa where it showcased the project to an interested audience. There is great support for expanding the project, particularly among marine researchers in both government and private sectors.
Catchgreen continues to engage with KMFRI to develop a policy paper that will support the rollout of biodegradable nets and ropes and with private sectors to support local manufacturing. This would require building up both the local and regional demand. KMFRI submitted an updated report on the piloting of seaweed farming, demonstrating an 8% increase in biomass production on the biodegradable ropes. KMFRI is also working on a social and economic study (partially funded by SMEP). This involves working with private sectors and community NGOs, to look at how to increase the yield in seaweed farming and add value to the produce. On the gill nets, the study is looking at learnings from a sein net project in Lamu where The Nature Conservancy sponsored the removal of environmentally harmful sein nets with regulated gill nets. This was done through community engagement and was based on scientific evidence of the decrease in the size of fish and smaller catches due to the harmful sein nets.

Biodegradation:

Catchgreen has finalised and applied for funding for an ocean biodegradation study of Biodolomer®Ocean to determine the level and rate of biodegradation of the material in-situ over 24 months. Regular sea/lake bed sediment sampling is to be conducted at four locations (East and West Coast of South Africa, Mombasa, and freshwater lake Kenya) to allow for an assessment of the microorganisms – including bacteria (specifically enzyme-producing species) as it is their presence in the soil which is suspected of contributing significantly to the biodegradation of biopolymers in aquatic environments.
SINTEF has submitted an updated 12-month biodegradability test report, indicating early stages of degradation and small losses in tensile strength, in line with previous research and expected results.
Catchgreen, in collaboration with FishSA is busy conducting interviews and collecting information from South African fishing industries to reveal information on the current use and disposal of fishing gear and attitudes among the industry toward a more regulated and codified system to promote sustainable fishing gear management. Emails have also been sent to major waste management companies in South Africa to better understand the current management of old and discarded fishing gear. The results from the survey will be included in a Memo on Responsible Fishing Gear Management and will be used to engage with the DFFE on proposed changes to the South African fisheries and waste management legislation. Already, the DDG for fisheries management and the Deputy Minister have expressed their support for improved management of fishing gear. Catchgreen and FishSA are engaging with Plastic SA to improve the reporting of plastic use in the fishing industry.

Manufacturing:

GAIA Biomaterials has shipped new material for manufacturing trials at Alnet. The material has arrived, and we are waiting for a manufacturing date. The trials will focus on testing the consistency of the material in the manufacturing process. The material will be used to manufacture nets and ropes for continued piloting in Kenya and new piloting in South Africa and Norway. GAIA has been doing trials on new chain extenders and carbon additives to improve the melt strength and strength of the material.
Catchgreen has commissioned a project review to look at key achievements and challenges halfway through the SMEP-funded project. The project review will be presented to project partners in a workshop and be used to identify future directions for the project.