Marevivo’s nationwide BlueFishers campaign has launched in Viareggio, with the aim of tackling marine pollution from expanded polystyrene (EPS). The initiative involves small-scale artisanal fishers, encouraging them to replace single-use polystyrene fish boxes with reusable and recyclable alternatives.
The first pilot project, unveiled at a press conference this morning, will be launched in the Tuscan coastal town with the support of the Tuscany Environment Foundation, in partnership with Cittadella della Pesca and Marevivo’s Tuscany Regional Delegation.
Designed to promote a supply-chain model aligned with European circular economy policies, the campaign will initially involve 58 fishing vessels, which will receive more than 2,300 reusable and recyclable boxes manufactured by DuWo, a leading company in the sector whose products are already used by fishing communities across Italy. At the end of their useful life, the boxes can be recycled and turned into new boxes or other products, keeping the materials in circulation.
Alongside reducing the use of polystyrene in the seafood supply chain, BlueFishers aims to raise awareness of environmentally responsible practices and strengthen the role of fishers as “guardians of the sea”. Every year, more than 50 million single-use expanded polystyrene (EPS) boxes are used in Italy to transport and sell seafood, amounting to approximately 14,000 tonnes of material.
Whether through deliberate or accidental littering, the inherent fragility of the material or its very low recycling rate after use, polystyrene can easily find its way into the marine environment and is among the types of waste frequently found at sea, on beaches and along coastlines. According to recent research by the Department of Life and Environmental Sciences at the Polytechnic University of Marche, among the plastic waste analysed, polystyrene was the polymer capable of absorbing and carrying the greatest number of metal contaminants.
Through the project, Marevivo also aims to engage policymakers and highlight the need for legislation eventually banning single-use polystyrene boxes in the fisheries sector. At present, there are no binding European rules explicitly prohibiting their use in the industry. The issue is similarly unregulated at national level in Italy, leaving action largely dependent on the commitment of civil society organisations, fishing cooperatives and local authorities.
“Marevivo has been fighting marine plastic pollution for almost forty years. With this project, we once again want to draw the attention of the public, institutions and businesses to the fact that people, whose actions put the health of the sea at risk every day, can also be part of the solution,” said Laura Gentile, National Project Coordinator for Marevivo. “We know that every piece of waste that ends up in the sea is a resource lost from the circular economy. We therefore need to pursue sustainable, circular models by involving all the relevant stakeholders, particularly in sectors such as fishing, whose very existence depends on the sea.”
Alongside Marevivo representatives, the press conference was attended by Giorgio Del Ghingaro, Mayor of Viareggio; Alessandra Malfatti, President of Cittadella della Pesca; Riccardo Mastini, Director of the Tuscany Environment Foundation; Commander Roberto Penta of the Viareggio Harbour Master’s Office; and Alfonso Raiola, DuWo Sales Manager.
“As Marevivo’s representative in Tuscany, I am proud to support the launch of a new best practice that will bring significant benefits to the environment while enabling fishers to play a leading role in a small but hugely important revolution,” said Marina Gridelli, Marevivo’s Tuscany Regional Representative.
“The sea is undoubtedly one of the ecosystems suffering the greatest impacts from human activity, and adopting better practices in the fishing industry is essential if we are to reduce pollution,” said Riccardo Mastini, Director of the Tuscany Environment Foundation. “By supporting Marevivo, the Tuscany Environment Foundation wants to demonstrate its commitment to this issue and invest in environmental conservation projects in Versilia, an important area in which to develop initiatives capable of combining new economic opportunities with environmental sustainability.”
“The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development reminds us that there is no future for those who fail to care for the common good,” said Alessandra Malfatti, President of Cittadella della Pesca. “We have embraced this principle by focusing on two of the Agenda’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals: building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation; and conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources.
“Step by step, we are working to adopt a more responsible approach to our daily operations and steadily reduce the environmental footprint of the entire supply chain, starting with the materials we use. Fish has traditionally been transported in single-use boxes that preserve freshness and hygiene but, at the same time, contribute to polystyrene leaking into the environment. Thanks to Marevivo and the Tuscany Environment Foundation, we can now begin a genuinely positive transition that will allow us to drastically reduce the amount of plastic in our supply chain.”
Special thanks to Enrico Gorra and Umberto Giannecchini for the photographs and video footage.
