Plastic waste significantly impacts small-scale fishers in Vietnam, leading to substantial economic losses, according to a recent study. Researchers found that plastic bags, bottles, netting, and other debris result in an average annual loss of $3,421 per vessel, representing a 10-25% reduction in annual income for vessel owners.
Fishers reported increased fishing efforts to compensate for overexploited fish stocks and plastic pollution. One interviewee noted that 6-7 hauls, once profitable, now require 20-25 hauls. The study also suggests fishers can contribute to solutions, such as “fishing for litter” programs that incentivize bringing plastic bycatch ashore for disposal and processing.
Source: Mongabay