A Digital Chain of Custody for a Blue Circular Economy

Abstract

Discarded fishing equipment and other fishing waste are thought to account for 27% of all ocean litter. To achieve a sustainable circular blue economy, working closely with all stakeholders to eliminate waste and preserve marine ecosystems is crucial. By integrating data, technology, and waste reduction into business processes, businesses can adopt more sustainable practices and reduce the impact of plastic pollution in the ocean. This paper promotes circularity and recyclability through a blue circular economy approach. The primary objective is to establish a digital chain of custody that traces the transformation of marine debris from fishing operations into secondary raw materials. A case study is presented, highlighting the active involvement of fishermen in the recycling process. The paper introduces a framework for evaluating organisational collaboration in adopting circular economy strategies and incorporating knowledge into their business processes. The solution encompasses a data governance approach and a digital chain of custody, facilitating stakeholder collaboration towards a shared objective.