Crab line recycling scheme approved for Weymouth harbour

A recycling scheme for crab lines is to benefit from £2,000 of funding from Weymouth Town Council. 

The money was awarded to Weymouth & Portland Marine Litter Project at last night’s Finance & Governance Committee (Wednesday 15th December), to provide five crab line bins around Weymouth’s historic harbour.  

Cllr David Gray, Chair of Finance & Governance Committee, said: “Crabbing is a popular pastime among families in and around the town, along with the huge number of visitors who flock to our seaside resort each year. The bins will give people a place to deposit their crabbing lines once they are finished for the day, so that these single use plastics can be dismantled and recycled, avoiding landfill or incineration. 

“This partnership initiative aims to reduce the amount of plastic pollution produced by this seaside activity and supports Weymouth Town Council’s aspiration to make the town a cleaner and greener place to live, work, and visit.” 

The council grant will fund part of the project with the group due to raise further money towards the scheme. 

Other aims of the project set out in the grant application include: 

· Support Weymouth in reducing the impact of single use plastics. 

· Introduce an interactive QR code promoting the crabbing code and incorporate fun family activities, taking crab welfare into account. 

· Promote the harbour as an eco-friendly, family destination. 

· Promote wooden crab lines to retailers and cut down on single use plastics. 

Successful schemes already run in Looe, Brixham and Chesil beach. Permission has also been gained from Dorset Council. 

Visit https://weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk/committee/ to view the application form and report. 

ENDS 

Notes to Editors 

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