Fishermen who use dragging nets through water to catch their fish will be benefit from a pilot project that compensates them for returning any plastic caught in their nets.

The scheme was launched Tuesday by Minister for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change Jose Herrera, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries & Animal Rights Clint Camilleri, and Director General Margaret Cassar.

Camilleri explained how fishermen will receive incentives in the form of financial compensation to bring back any plastic that they find at sea, also noting that once the pilot project is up and running then they will be working on finding ways to pick up rubbish from the sea. Up until now, anything that was collected was thrown back into the sea.

Herrera said that this would help address the problem of pollution in a holistic manner, noting that everyone recognizes that plastic is causing a big problem, particularly how it all ends up in the sea.

Cassar explained that large collecting bags will be distributed, and a report will be released every 6 months to observe the progress of the scheme.

He also said that studies are being conducted on lampuki based fishing, particularly on how nylon fishing line are affecting pollution, and whether there are other materials that are bio-degradable that can be used in their place.