PescArt Menorca was born in 2021
The PescArt Menorca project was launched in 2021 with the support of Menorca Preservation, Ports IB, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and financial backing from the Didier and Martine Primat Foundation. Its first steps were the installation of collection containers for nets in Fornells and Ciutadella, organising the logistics to collect and store them, and holding workshops to bring new people and ideas into the project. The pilot test, carried out in 2021, involved approaching fishing nets as raw material, organising workshops with artisans, experimenting with the nets, conducting an economic analysis of two selected products, and hosting the PescArt Menorca exhibition with the support of the Menorca Craft Centre, the Tourism Promotion Foundation, and the Institut Menorquí d’Estudis.
PescArt Menorca continued in 2022
PescArt Menorca continued in 2022 thanks to the support of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and funding from Menorca Preservation and the Didier and Martine Primat Foundation.
Actions carried out included incorporating new artisans into the collective, ongoing collaboration with the Menorca Foundation for People with Disabilities, and organising new workshops to bring more people and ideas into the project.
Commercial expansion in 2023
In 2023, PescArt strengthened its commercialisation thanks to contributions from the Sa Nostra Foundation and CaixaBank, and from the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030. With the aim of consolidating and reinforcing the commercial viability of this initiative, actions were taken to expand reach and visibility, including the creation of a website showcasing the products made by artisans, and training sessions focused on commercialisation. Fishing nets were transformed into unique creations by 24 local artists and artisans, strengthening the connection between art, sustainability, and community, and involving 207 people from various social sectors in workshops and activities. It was a year of consolidating environmental, social, and economic impact, highlighting the value of turning waste into opportunities.
Three ports in 2024
In 2024, PescArt Menorca promoted the creative recycling of more than 2,600 kg of fishing nets, expanding its collection to the island’s three main ports: Ciutadella, Fornells, and Maó. Thanks to collaboration with Ports IB and the Fishermen’s Guild, Maó Port joined the project. A total of 123 fishermen took part, and 34 artists and artisans transformed the nets into unique pieces. In addition, 282 people from various social sectors were involved through workshops and activities, with support from the Sa Nostra Foundation and CaixaBank. That year also saw the introduction of new materials such as wetsuits and umbrellas, diversifying creations and strengthening the commitment to the circular economy and local sustainability, with support from Beyond Plastic Med.
Challenges for 2025
In 2025, PescArt Menorca aims to consolidate its circular economy model across the island, strengthening the collection of fishing nets in the three main ports. We will also continue to encourage experimentation and the incorporation of new waste materials, such as umbrellas, wetsuits, and microplastics, to diversify creations and open new sustainable design lines, enabling local artists and artisans to innovate and expand their offerings. Work is underway to increase the project’s visibility through exhibitions, both our own and those by artisans linked to the project, and to promote the creation of parallel initiatives in Mallorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, with support from Depeche Mode through the Conservation Collective.
