THE York-based Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is launching an ambitious project to tackle litter in the North Sea.

With the support of partners including the Holderness Fishing Industry Group, the trust will be working with local communities to collect and dispose of both fishing related and general marine rubbish.

The Fishing for Litter project, which is funded by the European Fisheries Fund, is also intended to raise awareness of the problems marine waste causes for the industry and reduce littering in future.

Trust fisheries and wildlife officer Kat Sanders said: “We have been working with fishermen and anglers from coastal towns such as Bridlington, Hornsea, Withernsea and Flamborough, who understand that cleaner seas have a significant impact on the quality of marine life and seafood.

"By removing waste from the sea and preventing the discard of further litter, our beaches will become cleaner and safer and the impact on marine wildlife through ingestion, entanglement and contamination will also be reduced. "It’s a win for wildlife and a win for those whose livelihoods depend on quality seafood.”

Participating fishing vessels will be given hard wearing bags to collect litter, such as waste packaging, which has been caught up in their gear during normal fishing activities.

Full bags will be deposited on the quayside or at designated points in fishing compounds where they will be emptied into a dedicated bin or skip.

Kat said: "The scheme costs nothing to participate in and the more vessels that join, the more we can promote and put Holderness on the map, not only for the shellfish landed here but for the positive steps which industry itself is taking to maintain a healthy marine environment for future generations.”

The project will also extend to the angling community and run alongside a wider campaign raising awareness for members of the public to help reduce litter in the sea.

Free Fishing for Litter sacks and bins are available now and to register your interest in participating, contact Kat on kat.sanders@ywt.org.uk or phone 01262 422103.