Survey reveals 92% of Japanese public support fishers’ recycling efforts

A new survey has revealed overwhelming public support for Japanese fishers engaged in recycling initiatives, even as awareness of specific solutions to marine plastic pollution remains low. Ahead of World Fisheries Day on 21 November (tomorrow), Refineverse Group Inc. released their findings of a poll of 1,000 people which indicates a shift in public attitude from simply acknowledging the environmental crisis to actively supporting tangible actions.

The survey found that while a majority of the public is aware of the problem, specific knowledge is lacking. Just over half of respondents, 55.3 per cent, knew that fishing gear such as nets and lines are a source of marine plastic pollution. According to Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, fishing equipment accounts for approximately 30 per cent of plastic litter found on the nation’s coastlines. However, only 24.8 per cent of those surveyed were aware that technology exists to recycle these discarded fishing nets.

This awareness gap contrasts sharply with the public’s willingness to embrace circular solutions. When asked about the concept of recycling end-of-life fishing nets into new products, 71.3 per cent of people felt it was a positive development. Furthermore, 69.5 per cent stated they would choose to buy products made from recycled fishing net materials if they were available. The survey noted particularly strong interest among respondents in their 20s, suggesting a growing consumer consciousness in younger generations.

The most striking finding was the level of support for the fishing communities at the forefront of these collection efforts. A total of 78.1 per cent of respondents said they have a “good impression” of fishers who cooperate with recycling programmes. An even greater number, 92.1 per cent, expressed a desire to “support” these environmental actions.

Refineverse Group, which has been recycling fishing nets into its regenerated nylon material REAMIDE® since 2019, stated that these results show public understanding is moving beyond crisis awareness towards an empathy for action. The company works directly with fishers across Japan, having expanded its collection network to 26 locations and recovering over 1,500 tonnes of nets to date. Refineverse stated it will continue to raise social awareness of fishing net recycling and expand its resource circulation initiatives.