SEARCULAR

Our latest newsletter is now on our website! Find out more about SEARCULAR and all the recent updates from the project and the wider world of circular economy. We also take a deep dive into SEARCULAR’s solution three: EcoFADs, biodegradable alternatives to plastic drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs). Make sure to sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know about SEARCULAR’s work promoting a #circulareconomy for the #fishing industry here ?? https://loom.ly/CuSAfP0

Happy #WorldWildlifeDay! ?? Today, #WWD2025, is a chance to celebrate the incredible and diverse wildlife and ecosystems that make our planet so vibrant and resilient. It is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the threats facing our natural world, and recognise the efforts of those conserving wildlife. At #SEARCULAR we are working to reduce #marine litter in European #fisheries, contributing to healthier marine #ecosystems and allowing wildlife, and the communities who depend on it, to thrive. Find out more about SEARCULAR here ?? https://loom.ly/Wxvqe-M

This month, the European Commission published their latest progress report on work towards #EUGreenDeal targets. The benchmarking report highlights the successes achieved towards European Targets as well as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) so far, identifying areas for intensified efforts, with the aim of achieving a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. Of the outlined themed targets, the report highlights Circular Economy as one of the targets exhibiting the good progress. Another key achievement being that 12/18 member states have already achieved vital targets related to reducing plastic carrier bag consumption, as well as other goals related to packaging and precious metal recycling. #SEARCULAR is supporting EU Green Deal Circular Economy targets, the reduction of plastic waste from the #fishing industry and addresses three key SDGs: ??Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds [14.1] ??Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources [12.2] ??Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse [12.5] Find out more about how SEARCULAR’s is working toward these targets here?? https://loom.ly/Wxvqe-M or Access the full Green Deal report here ?? https://loom.ly/CalMT1U

Have you read our latest blog yet? Hear from Iker Zudaire Senior Researcher in Sustainable Fisheries Management at AZTI, and Gala Moreno Senior Scientist at the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF), as they discuss all things EcoFAD and learn about our plans for the coming year. Read the full blog here ?? https://loom.ly/EZ8vakw

Happy #InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience! Today is all about celebrating the inspiring women whose invaluable work contributes to projects like #SEARCULAR, making the world a better place. SEARCULAR is proud to work with lots of talented women, including engineers, biologists, marine scientists and more. We’ve spoken to two of our project team: SEARCULAR project coordinator Oihane Cabezas, Senior Researcher at AZTI and Paule Espa?a, researcher at GAIKER Centro Tecnológico and co-lead of our Circular Port-based Solutions work. We wanted to find out what being a woman in marine science means to them. ??

The World Circular Economy Forum WCEF is taking place on 13-16th May 2025 in Brazil. One of the biggest #circulareconomy events, the newly released programme features a rich selection of talks and sessions, many relevant to #SEARCULAR including: ??Unlocking sustainable growth with circular innovations ??The circular economy as a pathway to climate and nature targets ??Inspiring, practical and scalable examples of circular economy in action You can register to attend the event live online here ?? https://loom.ly/DnVOQ6A Find out how SEARCULAR is working towards a circular economy for #fishing gear here?? https://loom.ly/EyV8-tI #WCEF2025

?? New Blog Alert! ?? Our latest blog dives into SEARCULAR’s solution 3; biodegradable drifting Fish Aggregating Devices: EcoFADs! ?? We spoke to Iker Zudaire Senior Researcher in Sustainable Fisheries Management at AZTI, and Gala Moreno Senior Scientist at the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) to discuss everything from sourcing sustainable materials to co-designing a new dFAD with #fishermen. We also look ahead at the plans for the coming year, which include a series of controlled and real condition sea trials and developing a predictive model to improve mapping, tracking and recovery of abandoned, lost or discarded dFADs. Read the full blog here ?? https://loom.ly/EZ8vakw

The next SEARCULAR newsletter will be docking next month, filled with exciting updates about our work towards a #circulareconomy in #fisheries. ? Our next issue dives into EcoFADs, biodegradable and toxin-free alternatives to the commonly used plastic drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs). Implemented as part of #SEARCULAR’s solution three, these devices reduce the accumulation of plastics in sensitive marine #ecosystems such as reefs. Interested to learn more? Sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date on SEARCULAR’s work here ?? https://loom.ly/-FlsI3I

Have you heard about the European Green Deal? ?? In 2020 the European Commission approved a new set of policy initiatives which aim to make the European Union climate neutral by 2050. SEARCULAR’s research aligns with Green Deal initiatives including: ??introducing a Circular Economy Action Plan ??restoring Europe’s ecosystems and biodiversity ??transformation of mobility, energy, construction and production systems ??making Europe the first circular, climate-neutral and sustainable economy #SEARCULAR promotes a #circulareconomy within the #fishing industry, trialling four unique solutions that improve the design of #fishinggear by using #circular and biodegradable materials as well as creating frameworks for best practice for waste collection and management. Find out more about how SEARCULAR promotes a circular economy here?? https://loom.ly/UjCyBxw and Find out more about the @EU Green deal here ?? https://loom.ly/z2RZT_w

#SEARCULAR aims to reduce primary plastic pollution in the fishing industry, by implementing four innovative solutions which promote a #circulareconomy. Our solutions trial innovative low-impact materials and ensure ‘waste’ materials from #EOLfishing gear are recycled and reused. Through our work, we are supporting UN SDGs 14 and 12, aiming to protect marine biodiversity and to foster a circular economy that supports sustainable fishing. Find out more about SEARCULAR’s work here ?? https://loom.ly/Wxvqe-M