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KIMO VK
UK coastal municipalities working for healthier seas
KIMO UK brings together coastal local authorities to exchange knowledge, influence national policy and deliver practical action to protect marine environments. Established in 1991, the network has particular expertise in marine litter, pollution, maritime safety and marine conservation. Its flagship Fishing for Litter programme, launched in the UK in 2004, celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, with more than 70 participating harbours, over 600 vessels and more than 3,000 tonnes of marine litter collected. KIMO UK is now working to increase recycling of Fishing for Litter waste, including through a pilot at a Scottish harbour, while exploring opportunities to expand the programme. The network is also investigating PFAS pollution around Scottish coastlines, participating in KIMO’s international PFAS working group, developing a three-to-five-year strategic plan and strengthening partnerships with organisations including the Scottish Islands Federation and the Local Government Association Coastal Special Interest Group. These activities reflect KIMO UK’s continuing commitment to practical action, collaboration and long-term environmental improvement.
Key Priorities for KIMO UK
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Preventing and removing marine litter through Fishing for Litter, beach cleaning, education, research and policy advocacy across the UK.
PFAS & Chemical Pollution
Investigating PFAS contamination and promoting practical measures that enable local authorities to reduce chemical pollution.
Fishing for Litter
Working with fishermen and harbours to remove marine litter, improve waste management, increase recycling and expand participation.
Strand schoonmaken
Supporting strategic voluntary beach cleaning while advocating for resources and approaches that deliver lasting reductions in marine litter.
Maritieme veiligheid
Promoting safer, cleaner shipping and stronger protection from pollution and environmental risks associated with maritime activity.
Maritiem behoud
Representing coastal authorities on marine conservation issues and supporting action to protect healthy seas and coastal communities.
Meet the KIMO UK Board
Moraig Lyall
Political Representative (ordförande)
Raad van de Shetlandeilanden
KIMO UK's Projects
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Fishing Net Recycling Scotland
A pilot scheme demonstrating how end-of-life fishing nets could be collected from Scottish harbours and recycled into new plastic products.
Meer informatie
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Fishing for Litter Onderwijsprogramma
Educational resources helping primary-school children understand marine litter, its impacts on wildlife and what happens to plastic in the environment.
Meer informatie
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Fishing for Litter Recycling Pilot
Testing ways to recycle waste collected through Fishing for Litter rather than sending marine litter to disposal, supporting a more circular approach.
Meer informatie
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Bijdragen
A KIMO-Fidra collaboration tackling microplastic pollution from artificial pitches by promoting best practices to keep microplastic infill out of our seas.
Meer informatie
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Fishing for Litter UK
A long-running scheme working with fishermen to remove marine litter from UK waters and bring it ashore for responsible disposal and recycling.
Meer informatie
Related News & Press Releases
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A KIMO UK resource explaining how its marine litter activities align with Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence and can support classroom learning.
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A KIMO UK classroom activity in which pupils classify litter and create a degradation timeline to understand the persistence of plastic pollution.
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A KIMO UK classroom activity exploring the effects of plastic marine litter on seabirds through a practical feeding and role-playing exercise.
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A KIMO UK classroom activity pack using experiments and a rubber-duck case study to teach children how marine litter behaves at sea.
Contact KIMO UK’s National Coordinator
Contact KIMO UK about membership, marine pollution, Fishing for Litter, PFAS, beach cleaning or partnership opportunities. The Coordinator can explain current activities and connect you with the UK network.
