The Italian Senate approves the “Legge Salvamare” a bill presented by the Environment Minister, Sergio Costa who declared “It is a great victory for our sea, we are finally starting to clean the sea of plastic and we do it with exceptional allies – fishermen – who know the problem best of all because every day they pull up their nets, often collecting as much plastic as the catch“. The approval is an important step forward for the care of the sea ecosystem. In fact, from today fishermen will finally be able to bring ashore the plastic that has accidentally ended up in the nets. Until now they were forced to throw it back into the sea because otherwise, they would have committed the crime of illegal waste transport, would have been considered waste producers, and would have also had to pay for its disposal. Fishermen who will become “scavengers“ of the sea will be able to have an environmental certificate and their fishing chain will be adequately recognizable and recognized. The waste can be taken to the ports where collection points will be set up and reward mechanisms will be introduced for fishermen.
The first declarations of satisfaction arrive immediately from the world of the sea. Particularly happy with the success are the associations and companies operating in the maritime sector. Marevivo, together with the Federation of the Sea, Assonave, Assoporti, Confindustria Nautica, Confitarma, Federpesca, Lega Navale, LIV, and the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, thank the Senators for having accepted the appeal with which the world of the sea has clamored the approval of the provision.
In particular, Francesca Biondo, General Manager of Federpesca, the main association of companies in the fishing industry, proved to be very enthusiastic. “With this law Salvamare, the important role of fishermen who have been dealing with the collection and disposal of plastic waste for years is finally recognized. Federpesca and its associates are at the forefront for the abatement of marine pollution not only with the implementation of innovative technologies and tools that have little impact on the environment but also through the promotion of procedures for disposal and awareness on how to combat pollution in our seas. We now hope for the allocation of resources to support waste disposal and the final approval of the provision which constitutes a first concrete response to the great debate that is currently underway in Glasgow within the COP26 “
The president of Marevivo, Rosalba Giugni declared “We are very satisfied, but now we cannot let our guard down. We will continue to follow the legislative process for its final approval, which is now more necessary than ever. In fact, the sea plays a decisive role in the fight against climate change. It produces more than 50% of the oxygen we breathe, absorbs a third of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and is a great regulator of the climate with its currents and tides. However, to perform these vital functions, he must be in good health.”