UNWANTED fishing pots and nets dropped off at La Collette are being given a new lease of life.
More than 14 tonnes of rope, 68 fishing pots, and about 2,000 metres of netting that would previously have been discarded as waste have instead been sorted for recycling by prisoners at HMP La Moye as part of a pilot scheme.
During the year, the Jersey Prison Service has been separating the mixed materials used in fishing gear so that the majority can be recycled or reused, in a collaboration between Marine Resources, Ports of Jersey, the solid waste unit, the Jersey Fishermen’s Association and the Jersey Prison Service.
Fishermen can now leave unwanted pots and nets at a drop-off zone at La Collette for sorting at the prison.
Previously, the gear would have been thrown away, because of the mixed materials or, in some cases, simply been left around the harbour area.
Marine science and research officer Alex Plaster said that the dedication of those involved in the project had been “incredible”.
“We are working to a point where we will have enough recyclable material, such as nylon, which can then be exported to the UK for recycling. This is the first time we’ve been able to do something like this. There have always been issues in the past where fishers did not have anywhere suitable to get rid of their old fishing gear. Often the labour involved in separating these materials was too time consuming, but now we have a solution,” he said.
Gemma Lofthouse, head of reducing reoffending at the Jersey Prison Service, said that the project was helping to reduce waste and was also having a positive impact within the prison, where inmates were working successfully as a team to dismantle and recycle the different items.
“The prisoners are determined to do a good job and are doing their bit for the climate emergency, working at an incredible pace to get the job done. The hard work, dedication, and practical skills used in completing this role gives them great experience to secure a job upon release,” she said.
Ports of Jersey’s marine operations superintendent Joe Lewis said the organisation was pleased to be involved in the collaboration.
“It has been a success for all involved so far, showing that working together, we can find solutions,” he said.
