Odyssey Innovation is proud to announce the expansion of its multi-award winning Net Regeneration Scheme to the Welsh fishing community, in partnership with the Welsh Government. This pioneering initiative brings free fishing gear recycling to harbours across Wales for the first time — a landmark moment in the fight against marine plastic pollution.
A Scheme Built on Six Years of Impact
Since 2017, the Net Regeneration Scheme has been quietly revolutionising how the UK fishing industry handles its plastic waste. Operating across 21 harbours along the South Coast of England, the scheme has already recovered and recycled over 200,000 kilograms of fishing gear — nets, ropes, buoys, whelk pots, pontoons, and more — diverting it from landfill, incineration, and ultimately the ocean.
It is the only active scheme in the UK offering free recycling of Polyethylene trawl, Nylon, and other fishing-industry plastics. Everything that can be recycled in the UK is processed locally, with specialist European recyclers handling more problematic materials. The scheme is fully traceable, award-winning, and directly supports 8 of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Expanding to Wales
With funding from the Welsh Government, Odyssey Innovation is rolling out a pilot Net Regeneration Scheme along the Welsh coastline. Participating harbours include Milford Haven, Fishguard, Cardigan, Amlwch, and Holyhead. Community partners include Surfers Against Sewage and Keep Wales Tidy, among others.
The scheme also engages Welsh fishing gear manufacturers, charities, and beach-clean communities to maximise its benefit to the local environment. Part of the ocean-bound plastic recovered through the scheme is processed and fed directly into Odyssey Innovation's own circular manufacturing pipeline — producing products such as recycled kayaks, surfing handplanes, tote boxes, and recycling bins.
Closing the Loop on Plastic
The Net Regeneration Scheme doesn't just remove plastic — it puts it back to work. By converting recovered fishing gear into recycled products, the scheme delivers significant CO2 savings over virgin plastic production and creates a genuine circular economy for the marine industry.
A strategic long-term partnership with Exeter City Council's Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has been central to scaling operations, providing state-of-the-art processing facilities and co-investment in an industrial shredder that produces marine plastic granulate — now available for sale with a wide range of applications.
What People Are Saying
"The Net Regeneration Scheme has only been made possible through collaboration, primarily between the fishing sector and conservation groups, further supported by universities and the government. This collaborative project will showcase exemplary best practice in a sector where it is immensely needed."
— Rob Thompson, Managing Director, Odyssey Innovation
"Welsh Government are pleased to be working with Odyssey Innovation to introduce the pilot scheme in Wales. This scheme will be the first of its kind in Wales and will support our commitment for the Sustainable Management of Natural Resources."
— Spokesman, Welsh Government
"Providing facilities to recycle old fishing gear will assist the sector to further improve its sustainability credentials and help it thrive."
— Dr. Holly Whiteley, Welsh Regional Manager, Seafish
Get Involved
Whether you are a harbour, fisherman, NGO, or beach-clean community in Wales or beyond, we want to hear from you. Get in touch with Odyssey Innovation to find out how you can participate in the Net Regeneration Scheme and be part of the solution to cleaner, safer seas.