The Utgårdskilen workshop marked the starting point of the Pilot for Clean‑Up of Marine Litter in Oslofjorden. Designed as an exploratory working session, the day aimed to structure the “solution space” and establish a foundation for practical standards and operational routines. Through keynotes, on-site scoping of vessel deck workflows and safety constraints, and cross-disciplinary teamwork, participants developed early proposals for methods and technical configurations for locating and recovering ghost gear, as well as a first list of what should be tested and clarified in the next phase (AP2).
“The strength of this kick-off was bringing people who rarely meet around the same operational questions—what works on deck, what is safe, and what is acceptable in sensitive areas.” Participant
A central outcome was a shared understanding that method choices must be adapted to local conditions such as depth, currents, seabed characteristics and conservation requirements. The workshop therefore recommended prioritising practical testing in selected areas before standardising procedures. The report also highlights the need for a simple minimum standard for sorting, weighing and documenting recovered material at reception—ensuring useful documentation without slowing down operations—while exploring circular options such as repair and reuse where feasible.
The workshop was facilitated by Østfold University College (HiØ) staff from the Innovation Research Group, with support from students, and brought together a unique mix of stakeholders in the same room. With 42 participants from authorities, practitioners and education, the kick-off created a strong platform for collaboration and a concrete transition from planning to testing in the project’s next work package (AP2).
Next steps: In AP2, the project will translate the workshop proposals into a focused test plan with clear decision criteria, aiming to compare a small number of method combinations in realistic operations and develop a first “method menu” and operational manual.