Old fishing nets along the Roja coastline gain new purpose, 01.10.2025

The old fishing nets that had accumulated along the Roja coastline for years were given new meaning on 19 September 2025. A hands-on workshop, organized within the framework of the COREEL project, demonstrated that even worn-out fishing gear can become the foundation for innovation and safety. Participants learned practical methods and technologies: cleaning, sorting, pre-treatment, and safety procedures for the nets. The workshop’s goal was not only to showcase the process but also to shift perspectives – from seeing “waste” to recognizing “opportunities.”

The outcome was clear: the prepared nets will be given a second life, transformed into materials for camouflage net production and for building protective tunnels against drones. In this way, a coastal problem is turned into a solution with long-term value, contributing both to environmental protection and to community security.

The Roja workshop proved that every collected net is a step towards a cleaner sea, stronger communities, and a safer future.

Anete Jansone
Head of Project COREEL, Kurzeme Planning Region
anete.jansone@kurzemesregions.lv