Sustainable Fishing:
Choosing the Future of the Sea 

Protecting fish stocks is achieved not only by pausing fishing, but also through the way we fish during the rest of the year. One of the core pillars of AMORGORAMA is the gradual replacement of traditional fishing gear with new, more selective, and environmentally friendly alternatives.

Why are we changing our gear? 

For decades, the use of nets with small “mesh” sizes led to the accidental catch of juvenile fish that had not yet had the chance to reproduce. This gear transition aims to:

Reduce unwanted bycatch:
We only catch fish that have reached the appropriate size.

Protect reproduction:
We allow juvenile fish to escape the nets, ensuring the populations of the future.

Upgrade quality:
Fewer but larger, higher-quality fish mean better income for the fisher and less pressure on the ecosystem.

The Commitments of the Amorgos Fishers 

The professional fishers of the “Hozoviotissa” Association have voluntarily agreed to, and are already implementing, the following changes:

Larger mesh size for nets:
Increasing the net opening (to over 24-26 mm), allowing small fish to pass through freely.

Larger hooks for longlines:
Using hooks that exclusively target adult individuals, avoiding juvenile fish.

Retirement of old gear:
Discontinuing practices considered harmful to the seabed and habitats.

A Collective Investment 

Replacing fishing gear is a costly process for every fisher. With the strategic support of its partners, the Professional Fishing Association of Amorgos has secured the necessary resources to co-fund this transition.

Supply of new nets:
Tens of kilometers of new nets with larger mesh sizes have already been delivered to the Association’s members.

Recycling of old gear:
Old, unsuitable nets do not end up in landfills or the sea. They are collected and sent for recycling through specialized programs, turning an environmental problem into raw material for new products.

Recycling Fishing Gear

Abandoned professional fishing gear is one of the most harmful forms of marine litter. Nets, longlines, and ropes can continue to “fish” for years as “ghost gear”, while gradually breaking down into microplastics that enter the food chain. 

Through AMORGORAMA, the Professional Fishing Association of Amorgos has turned this problem into a solution by creating a structured system for the collection and recycling of professional equipment within and around the island.

Managing Old Fishing Gear through AMORGORAMA

The project aims to address both plastic pollution and overfishing simultaneously. Specifically, for the proper management of equipment, the fishing community has established a methodical chain of actions:

• Field Action: During the months of April and May (the fish spawning season), our fishers lay down their nets and use their vessels to “comb” inaccessible coasts, collecting marine debris and lost equipment.
• On-land Organization: Worn-out nets, ropes, and fishing lines are not mixed with common trash. They are stored separately in specialized containers and yellow bins at the island’s ports, destined for recycling.
• Circular Economy: The equipment is transported off the island to specialized recycling partners in Athens and innovative programs, such as Enaleia, to be converted into new materials.

From Seabed to Production

Upcycling is the creative reuse of discarded objects or materials, transforming them into new products of higher quality, aesthetic, or functional value. Unlike recycling, upcycling does not destroy the material; it gives it a new life, reducing waste and the need for raw materials. The recycling and upcycling of fishing gear represent one of the most successful examples of a circular economy worldwide. Through a carefully designed process, the tons of abandoned equipment threatening marine ecosystems are not just removed from the water; they are transformed into high-quality raw materials for the creation of new, sustainable products.

Aspects of Transformation

1. Nylon Regeneration: Once thoroughly cleaned and specially processed, collected nets are broken down and regenerated into an innovative nylon yarn. This material retains the exact same properties as virgin nylon, but with zero environmental cost. This yarn then feeds the fashion and design industry, serving as the basis for producing swimwear, sportswear, socks, and even upholstery fabrics or carpets.

2. Creative Reuse (Upcycling): Beyond full recycling, many parts of the equipment are utilized as they are through upcycling. Due to the immense durability of their materials, nets and ropes are transformed into practical everyday items, such as durable bags and backpacks, handmade accessories and jewelry, sunglass frames, and home goods.

A New Culture at Sea

The heart of this initiative beats in education and a shift in mindset. Professional fishers no longer consider their worn-out equipment as “trash” and have become the primary suppliers of a new, clean raw material. In this way, “ghost nets” that once posed a deadly threat to marine life are given a second, beneficial life, strengthening a model of development that respects the planet.

Step-by-Step Collection and Recycling System

1. At Sea: Recovery and Prevention 

Fishers recover nets and plastics from remote bays and rocky areas only accessible by boat. At the same time, a zero-discard policy is applied: if a net is damaged during work, the crew is encouraged to bring it back to port instead of discarding it at sea. This prevents the creation of new “ghost nets”.

2. On Land: Dedicated Collection Points 

At Amorgos’ main ports, the Association has installed distinctive yellow bins clearly marked for retired nets and ropes. Only professional equipment is placed there. Proper separation at this stage is essential so that recyclers know the type of plastic (nylon, polyethylene, etc.) and can direct it to the appropriate processing units.

3. Sorting, Cleaning, and Storage 

Before storage, weights, floats, and metal components are removed whenever possible. The goal is to deliver the material as “clean” as possible, increasing the chances of successful recycling. Nets and ropes are stored separately from other plastics (bottles, packaging) to avoid contamination.

4. Transport and Recycling 

According to data from collaborating partners, the materials travel by ship to mainland Greece. Nylon from the nets is regenerated into high-quality textile yarn, while other plastics are converted into furniture, accessories, or other long-lasting products. The goal is for Amorgos’ equipment not to end up in landfills, but to serve as raw material for something new.

Guide for Professional Fishers

To keep the system effective, we follow a few simple but critical rules: 

What to do with worn-out equipment:

• Return to Port: No piece of net or rope, no matter how damaged, should end up in the sea.
• Use Yellow Bins: Place equipment only in the designated yellow bins, keeping them free of organic waste or fuel.
• Material Separation: Whenever possible, remove weights and metal parts and tie ropes into bundles for easier handling.
• Report Large Objects: If bulky equipment or “ghost nets” are spotted at great depth, notify the Association to organize a special recovery operation.
• Communication: For any questions or coordination of large quantities, send an email to info@amorgorama.com.

Practices to Avoid:

• No Burning: Burning nets on the beach releases dangerous toxins and destroys a material that could be reused.
• No Discarding in Common Bins: Fishing equipment thrown into common bins ends up in landfills rather than being recycled.

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Recycling as a Connecting Link

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The recycling of fishing gear is not an isolated action, but the “green” axis that runs through the other three pillars of AMORGORAMA. It is inextricably linked to every aspect of the project, creating a cycle of protection for the Aegean:

• Local Actions (Clean-ups & Environmental Education): Cleaning operations carried out by the fishers themselves turn into a living laboratory of environmental awareness. They serve as the most powerful example of responsible management for the new generation and volunteers, turning the act of cleaning into a lesson of respect for the marine ecosystem.
• Sustainable Fishing: The strategic choice of a two-month fishing pause during the spawning season has double the value. The time gained by the sea to allow fish stocks to recover is utilized by fishers for systematic coastal clean-ups. Thus, the recovery of marine life goes hand-in-hand with its liberation from pollution.
• Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs): The effectiveness of protection zones depends on the quality of the seabed. Fishers who patrol these areas also take care to remove abandoned equipment from sensitive habitats. In this way, protected areas truly become safe havens where species reproduce freely, without the invisible threat of “ghost nets.”

Overall, the sequence of these actions highlights a new role for the professional fisher: they cease to be a mere user of marine resources and evolve into the most trusted and active guardian of the marine environment.