Netting Innovation: Diopas on Creating the First Recycled and Recyclable Aquaculture Nets with Ioakeim Diamantidis, Ep.21

Ioakeim Diamantidis is the General Manager of Diopas, a family-run business based in Greece. For generations, Diopas has been a leader in producing fishing, aquaculture, and sport nets. Now, under the leadership of Ioakeim, the company is pushing the boundaries of innovation in the fishing industry.

One of the standout achievements discussed in the episode is Diopas' pioneering development of the world's first recycled and recyclable fish farming nets. This breakthrough, in collaboration with Aquafil, utilizes ECONYL®, a regenerated nylon, to create a fully circular system. Beyond just the netting, Diopas has also developed ropes and sewing threads made from the same sustainable material. This innovation ensures that, when the nets reach the end of their lifecycle, they can be entirely recycled without the need to separate components—a first in the industry.

But Diopas' commitment to innovation doesn’t stop there. The company is also experimenting with artificial reefs made from netting and working on ecological coatings for nets to reduce the environmental impact of fouling. They’ve even developed nets designed to reduce diesel consumption for fishing boats, offering both environmental and economic benefits.

These forward-thinking projects reflect Diopas' ongoing collaboration with Healthy Seas to recover discarded fishing nets for recycling. Their work with universities and research centers highlights the power of partnerships in driving industry-wide change. Ioakeim’s approach to continuous improvement and risk-taking is inspiring and points the way forward for the future of sustainable fishing and aquaculture.

Tune in to hear more about Diopas' journey, their innovations, and the exciting future of net production and recycling.

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Healthy Seas is a marine conservation organization whose mission is to tackle the ghost fishing phenomenon and turn this waste into an opportunity for a more circular economy. They do this through clean-ups, prevention, education, and working with partners who recycle and repurpose this material. The podcast is hosted by Crystal DiMiceli.