The project Fishing for Litter arrives at the Port of Fiumicino

After placing a Co.re.pla. container (National Consortium for the Collection and Recycling of Plastic Packaging) in the Roman Darsena of the Port of Civitavecchia, the experimental project Fishing for Litter supported by Regione Lazio in collaboration with Legambiente, Capitaneria and Arpa Lazio arrives also at the port of Fiumicino.

We receive and share the press release of the Port System Authority:

Fiumicino, 16th April 2019 - The president of the Port System Authority of the Center-North Thyrrenian Sea Francesco Maria di Majo brings the green also for the port of Fiumicino. Many important initiatives have been presented, aimed to regulate the recycling of plastic from the sea.

"The problem of plastic waste in our seas is unfortunately up-to-date. Just a few weeks ago we heard the news of the arrival to the Sardinian beach of Porto Cervo of a sperm whale: in its belly were found over twenty kilos of plastic" says the president of the AdSP. "These news must represent for all of us a warning for what we are causing to these animals, to our sea and, especially, to future generations".

Precisely in this perspective the Port System Authority of the Center-North Thyrrenian continues the path begun by President Francesco Maria Di Majo, who has worked since his assignment to stress his commitment for a more environmentally sustainable development of the three ports of the Network of Lazio.

Today starts the experimental project Lazio fishing for litter after the signature of the memorandum of understanding signed on the 7th January, fruit of the collaboration between the Regione Lazio, the Port System Authority of the Center-North Thyrrenian Sea, Co.re.pla. (National Consortium for the Collection and Recycling of Plastic Packaging), Arpa Lazio, Legambiente Lazio, Maritime Directorate of Lazio and AGCI Lazio (General Association of Italian Cooperatives) to reduce sea garbage and to contribute to restore the sea ecosystem thanks to the active and key involvement of fishermen.

“As we already know, the impact of sea garbage has negative consequences of different kinds. Lethal effects on plants and animals are there for everyone to see”. – precises di Majo. “In addition, there is an economic and social impact: reduction of tourism, damage to ships and fishing gear, reduction of fish and cleaning costs, as well as reduction of the aesthetic value and the public use of the environment”.

"The project, of best practice, should be, in my opinion, implemented at national level”, precises president di Majo. “Fishermen will have the chnace to collect in the port the plastic garbage caught during their fishing activity, recycling it and, therefore, contributuing to cleaning the sea from plastic”.

"It is necessary, then, - concludes di Majo - to outline shared procedures for a proper management of the waste landed by fishermen and I hope that the project that we are about to experience at the port of Fiumicino can be started in all Italian ports and not only to safeguard the waters of our planet: according to the UN, in fact, eight million tonnes of plastic end up each year in our seas".

As announced a few days ago, in the coming months five Sea Ben, baskets collectors of floating waste, will be installed in the harbor channel of Fiumicino for the automatic collection of floating waste.

Communication and Press Department
Port System Authority of the Center-North Thyrrenian Sea
Ports of Rome and the Lazio