scope:

This document specifies the technical requirements for the components of fishing gear and aquaculture equipment (hereafter termed 'gear') which contain plastics. It will establish the material principles and processes that enhance the circularity and recycling of the plastic components of gear and the materials comprising the components of the gear, taking into account the impact of such requirements on gear utility. The technical requirements for the design of gear focuses on:

- Development and selection of materials and components;

- Reduction in the use of virgin plastics;

- Manufacture/assembly/disassembly;

- Use, maintenance, repair, re-manufacturing and refurbishing;

- Storage, transport; and

- End-of-life including recycling and upcycling.

Excluded from this document are design aspects related to enhancement of the capture of fisheries. This is unless such design reduces the utility of the gear for capture fishing or aquaculture techniques or management.