Cape town: The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, has officially launched South Africa’s first harbour-based net recycling facility at the V and A Waterfront. This innovative facility, located at Collier Jetty, transforms end-of-life fishing nets into valuable raw materials for plastic manufacturing.
According to South African Government News Agency, the containerised ‘micro-recycling pod’ can process up to 100 kilograms of used nets per hour. This process involves shredding, washing, drying, and densifying the nets, thereby preventing waste from polluting landfills or the ocean. The initiative reduces the risk of ghost fishing gear while creating new economic opportunities.
The project is a collaboration between OCEAN Action Network (OCEAN), Ocean Plastic Technologies (OPT), and the South African Deep-Sea Trawling Industry Association (SADSTIA). Funding was secured through the Marine Stewardship Council’s Ocean Stewardship Fund, and the V and A Waterfront donated space for the facility.
Dr George highlighted the project’s alignment with South Africa’s national commitments under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act and global objectives like Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. The initiative supports the emerging Global Plastic Treaty and underscores South Africa’s leadership within the G20 Presidency.
Estelle van der Merwe, Managing Director of OCEAN, emphasized the project’s broader impact, noting that it serves as a model for protecting marine ecosystems and supporting fishing communities. Johann Augustyn, SADSTIA Executive Secretary, pointed out the alignment with the Marine Stewardship Council Fisheries Standard and the potential for wider adoption of such recycling solutions.
With the recycling pod fully operational, the focus now shifts to scaling the model. OPT’s plant is designed for easy replication, allowing additional containers to be deployed to other harbours. The project aims to establish a scalable, circular economy solution for marine plastic waste.
The initiative also seeks to raise awareness about the importance of recycling among residents and visitors. Dr George concluded by emphasizing the project’s role in transforming waste into opportunity through collaboration among government, business, and civil society.