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Status:

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Overall objective of the project: To create a network of work and contacts (networking) of the multiple actors involved in the management of plastic waste derived from aquaculture facilities that facilitates, based on greater awareness, the sharing of good practices and innovative solutions, the characterization of waste as well as its reduction.

Specific objectives of the project:

1. To identify, within the Spanish framework, all the sectors involved in the production and management of plastic waste that comes from the operation of marine aquaculture facilities.
2. Create a network of work and contacts focused on the identification of this waste and its reduction.
3. Generate a document that includes, among others:
a.The main plastic elements and infrastructures used in marine aquaculture facilities (both long-lived and short-lived/single-use).
b.The potential sources of microplastics and macroplastics from marine aquaculture facilities.
c.The good practices in place, the innovative ideas and the lessons learned that will reduce the impact of plastic waste from this activity on the environment.
d.How to make progress in identifying this waste, which would lead to an improvement in the estimation of the plastic waste generated

• AC 1 – Identification of stakeholders.
• CA 2.1 – Constitution of the bases of the work network, involving the maximum number of representatives of each sector connected to the management of plastic waste.
• AC2.2 – Dissemination 1: Dissemination of the work network and the project on social networks and the IEO website.
• AC2.3 – Dissemination 2: Dissemination of the network and the project in the media.
• AC 3.1 – Workshop for the establishment of the network: organization of the participatory workshop in the Valencian Community to involve the members of the network/contacts.
• AC 3.2 – Personalized interviews: personalized interviews with representatives of sectors related to aquaculture.
• AC 3.3.1 – Project document: Drafting of the final project document.
• AC 3.3.2 – Final dissemination: round table or conference at the IEO-COB (Palma) aimed at the general public for the presentation of the results of the project.
• AC.3.3.3- Transferability.

In order to address the problem of plastic waste in aquaculture facilities, it is very important to generate documents that compile good practices, in addition to promoting their dissemination so that they can be integrated into the sector. As a result of the activities carried out, a number of good practices in aquaculture facilities have been extracted, together with innovative ideas and lessons learned aimed at reducing plastic waste derived from aquaculture facilities in the marine environment. To guarantee the validity of the results, it has been very important that the information collected has been obtained from people belonging to the production sector, as it has allowed us to know first-hand the needs and difficulties they encounter.

Throughout the project, a series of activities have been carried out that have allowed the generation of an atmosphere of debate among the participants, addressing the lessons learned, innovative ideas and good practices to reduce plastic waste derived from aquaculture. Finally, a final dissemination event was held in which a round table was organized with different actors in the aquaculture sector and is available on the YouTube channel of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography.