CEFAS (the UKs Centre for Environmental, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences), one of the project partners in the INdIGO project (of which MSE International is also a partner) are trying to better understand the long-term performance of the biodegradable materials that have been developed for the project to make prototype nets. Their tests will include the possible formation of microplastics by immersing the samples in the marine environment and studying them in the laboratory.

Cefas colleagues are working hard to finalise preparations ahead of the deployment of the biodegradable materials at sea during a survey on RV Cefas Endeavour.

The fishing line materials were formulated by NaturePlast and manufactured at the University of Southern Brittany (UBS). The materials will be deployed on a mid-tether frame attached to the Cefas SmartBuoy at 'West Gabbard'. In parallel to the natural ageing of the materials at sea, the biodegradable materials will also be artificially aged using a Q-SUN Xenon test chamber replicating sunlight exposure. Marine ageing of the biodegradable prototypes is an important step to understand the durability of the materials and subsequent environmental impacts on the marine environment.

For more information see the latest issue of the INdIGO newsletter which is available to view here.

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