What happens to a fishing net when it can no longer be used? As the ATSEA Program and Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) prepare to implement activities addressing Abandoned, Lost or Otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) in Merauke, South Papua, answering this question has become increasingly important. From 7 to 11 June 2026, representatives from ATSEA and MMAF undertook a learning visit across Java to explore practical approaches to managing End-of-Life Fishing Gear (EOLFG) and identify circular economy solutions that could be adapted to Merauke.
The visit responded to an important challenge identified during earlier assessments. Used and damaged fishing nets have been found accumulating in several locations in Merauke, particularly in Gudang Arang. However, there is still limited understanding of how these materials can be collected, repaired, reused, recycled, or turned into economic opportunities.
To learn from existing practices, the team visited fishing ports, fisher organisations, collectors, recycling companies, and circular economy practitioners in Semarang, Pekalongan, Indramayu, Bandung, and Jakarta. The purpose was not simply to observe how fishing gear waste is managed in other places, but also to understand which lessons could realistically be applied in Merauke.
One of the clearest lessons from the visit was that used fishing gear is not always treated as waste. In several locations, especially in Pekalongan and Indramayu, damaged nets continue to hold value even after they can no longer be used for their original purpose. Some nets are repaired, refurbished, combined with new materials, and resold to other users. Nylon materials, in particular, often remain part of reuse and recycling chains, while nets in poorer condition may still be useful as spare parts or recyclable material.
This finding challenges the common assumption that damaged fishing gear automatically becomes waste. Instead, the visit showed that effective EOLFG management starts with understanding the condition, material type, and potential value of each net before deciding whether it should be reused, recycled, or disposed of.
The team also learned that collection alone is not enough. Across Java, functioning systems depend on a wider network of fishers, repair workers, collectors, transporters, recyclers, and buyers. Material quality, sorting practices, storage space, transport costs, labour availability, and market demand all affect whether used fishing gear can generate value.
Discussions with collectors and recyclers also highlighted the importance of separating materials properly. Nylon nets generally have stronger market demand and better recycling potential, while mixed-material or polyester nets are more difficult to process and often have limited economic value. This lesson will be important for Merauke, where future collection efforts need to be based on the actual types of fishing gear used by local and visiting vessels.
The visit also offered useful insights into the role of fishing ports. At Pekalongan Fishing Port (Pelabuhan Perikanan Nusantara/PPN Pekalongan) in Central Java and Nizam Zachman Fishing Port (Pelabuhan Perikanan Samudera/PPS Nizam Zachman) in Jakarta, the team explored how existing port systems, including Teman SPB and SELARASKAN, could support better documentation and monitoring of fishing gear waste. Rather than creating entirely new reporting mechanisms, the discussions pointed to the value of strengthening systems that are already familiar to port authorities and vessel operators.
Beyond recycling and reporting, the visit reinforced the importance of community participation and trusted local institutions. Meetings with fisher organisations, including KPL Mina Sumitra, showed how local groups can help coordinate vessel owners, support awareness raising, and encourage collective action. Their experience confirmed that successful initiatives depend not only on technical solutions, but also on trust, local ownership, and long-term engagement.
The visit concluded that any future fishing gear collection or buy-back mechanism in Merauke should be developed as a complete value chain, not as a stand-alone collection activity. Collection points, sorting procedures, temporary storage, transport arrangements, market linkages, and recycling pathways all need to be considered from the beginning.
For ATSEA, the lessons from Java provide a strong foundation for the next phase of work in Merauke. By learning from existing practices and adapting them to local realities, the initiative aims to develop practical and sustainable solutions that reduce marine pollution, support circular economy opportunities, and strengthen responsible fisheries management in the Arafura Sea region.
As Merauke moves toward becoming ATSEA’s first pilot site for on-the-ground ALDFG implementation, the knowledge gained from this learning journey will help turn discarded fishing gear from an environmental challenge into an opportunity for collaboration, innovation, and local economic value.
By Johanis Fofied