Fishing gear with enhanced drapability and biodegradability: Artificial, eco-friendly fibers inspired by the mussel byssus

Abstract

Abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) poses a global challenge for marine ecosystems because it results in the destruction of algal forests, the largest oceanic carbon dioxide sinks. Biodegradable polybutylene succinate (PBS), which has a tensile strength similar to that of nylon, has been suggested as a potential fishing-gear material. However, its slow degradation in the marine environment and limited drapability need to be addressed before it can be used in environmentally friendly fishing gear. Inspired by the mussel byssus, a thread-like holdfast known for its stiff yet extensible mechanical properties, we developed fishing gear using a mussel-byssus-mimetic fiber (artificial byssus fiber, ABf) structure. The ABf was composed of poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) (PBAT) fibers with favorable draping characteristics coated with mechanically resilient and PBS, which demonstrated sufficient toughness and draping properties for use in fishing gear. AB shows promise as a material for fishing-gear capable of mitigating issues related to ALDFG, especially given its marine degradability by microbial strains that degrade PBS and PBAT. Furthermore, it could serve as a substrate for ocean afforestation, given the improved settlement and growth of seaweed spores (Pyropia yezoensis) on AB. Overall, AB-based fishing gear is expected to enhance macroalgal forest conservation and expansion and facilitate marine carbon capture through marine afforestation.