Fishers in Vietnam Bear Brunt of Plastic Pollution

A recent study in Vietnam found that small-scale fishers lose an average of $3,421 per vessel, per year, due to plastic waste. This represents a 10-25% reduction in the annual income of vessel owners. Fishers have increased their efforts in response to overexploited fish stocks and plastic pollution, with some reporting it now takes 20-25 hauls to turn a profit, up from 6-7 hauls previously. The study highlights the potential for fishers to play a significant role in tackling the plastic pollution crisis through 'fishing for litter' programs that pay fishers to bring back plastic bycatch for disposal and processing on land. Study co-author Michel Kaiser emphasizes the need to address plastic pollution, citing its direct impact on people's lives and livelihoods in Southeast Asia.