Navigating transition: understanding fishers’ perceptions of biodegradable fishing gear adoption

The adoption of biodegradable fishing gear offers a potential solution to the pervasive issue of abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), a major contributor to global marine plastic pollution. ALDFG not only harms marine ecosystems but also affects fishers and the seafood industry. Lack of fishers’ acceptance is an important barrier to policies and initiatives aimed at promoting the use of such gear. Conducting interviews with fishers in Norway provides insights into the origins of opposition among fishers, potentially hindering the intention to adopt biodegradable fishing gear. This exploration mainly examines how acceptance is shaped by economic incentives and behavioural factors. Results highlight the substantial influence of both economic incentives and behavioural factors on the intention to adopt biodegradable gear, with the latter exerting a greater impact. This study underscores the need for policymakers to implement strategies to encourage the adoption of biodegradable gear and address ALDFG effectively. Economic incentives and behavioural factors significantly impact fishers’ intention to adopt biodegradable fishing gear.Fishers perceiving peer support for biodegradable gear showed greater willingness to switch.Subsidies and higher market prices for catch support the transition to biodegradable gear, while lower efficiency rates hinder it.Fishers with strong belief in environmental benefits show more willingness to switch gear. Economic incentives and behavioural factors significantly impact fishers’ intention to adopt biodegradable fishing gear. Fishers perceiving peer support for biodegradable gear showed greater willingness to switch. Subsidies and higher market prices for catch support the transition to biodegradable gear, while lower efficiency rates hinder it. Fishers with strong belief in environmental benefits show more willingness to switch gear.