KRESK 4 OCEANS supports the “Repêchons les océans” initiative, with a particular focus on the port and fishermen of Concarneau.
Repêchons les océans is a marine waste recovery program carried out in collaboration with the French fishing sector, led by the Ecoalf Foundation in partnership with the Fondation de la Mer.
This program brings together and supports fishing and upcycling stakeholders in France by fostering local development. The initiative is made possible thanks to the daily efforts of fishermen, as well as the support of port authorities and local organizations.
Program objectives
The objectives of the program are to build a network of fishing professionals, protect marine life by removing marine debris that damages ecosystems, and promote the circular economy through the implementation of an efficient national system for managing marine waste. Another key objective is to ensure waste traceability. The characterization of collected marine waste is reported to CEDRE and the French Ministry for Ecological Transition. This waste categorization data helps raise public awareness of ocean plastic pollution.
This program is part of the marine plastic pollution mitigation approach of KRESK 4 OCEANS’ “Act on Land – Upcycling” initiative and builds on the international “Upcycling the Ocean” program led by the Ecoalf Foundation and the Fondation de la Mer.
Key figures
Since 2022, 10 ports — Le Grau d’Agde, Saint-Quay-Portrieux, Erquy, Saint-Cast-Le-Guildo, Dieppe, Lorient, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Concarneau, Douarnenez and Saint-Guénolé — have joined the program’s network, forming a fleet of approximately 394 vessels and 790 fishermen.
They are part of a broader network of 71 European ports in Spain, Greece and Italy participating in this project, which began in the Mediterranean in 2015. Thanks to their involvement, more than 1,413 tonnes of waste have been removed from the sea since 2015.
