Sustainability

We build a healthier ocean by replacing lead weights with zinc fishing weights

WHY ZINC?

Lead is Poisoning Our Ocean

Lead weights used in fishing nets gradually dissolve in seawater, releasing toxic heavy metals that accumulate in marine organisms and eventually enter the human food chain.

Lead is classified as a Group 2A carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Continued use of lead weights is now recognized globally as a serious marine pollution issue.

Ocean Tech's zinc weights are a completely eco-friendly alternative — zinc is an essential mineral naturally found in seawater with zero toxicity.

Lead Weight

• Toxic heavy metal
• 1~2 yr lifespan
• Frequent replacement
• IARC 2A carcinogen

Zinc Weight

• Zero toxicity
• 10+ yr lifespan
• 80% cost savings
• SVHC 235 free

COMPARISON

Zinc Weight vs Lead Weight

SVHC Substances Not Detected

Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) are chemicals subject to regulation under EU REACH regulations. All 235 substances listed were not detected in Ocean Tech's zinc weights, proving complete eco-friendliness.

* SVHC testing means that an accredited laboratory systematically checks whether a product contains any of the 235 hazardous substances listed by the EU — such as carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins. Passing this test is the highest international standard of chemical safety, and it directly assures fishers, consumers, and regulators that Ocean Tech's zinc weights pose zero chemical risk to people or the marine ecosystem.

PILOT PROGRAM

Goseong County, Gangwon

Real-world pilot completed with fishing boats in Goseong County, Gangwon Province.

31mo

Trial Period

Long-term pilot conducted from 2020 to 2023 in actual fishing conditions in Goseong, Gangwon Province waters.

Fishing Vessels

19 vessels affiliated with Goseong County Fisheries Cooperative verified the effectiveness of zinc weights in real fishing conditions.

~$80K

Project Scale

Total pilot project scale combining government support and private investment, validating mass production viability of eco-friendly weights.

80%

Cost Reduction

Zinc weights last 5x longer than lead, reducing annual per-fisher replacement costs by over 80%.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Why It Matters

Prevents Heavy Metal Ocean Pollution

Zinc is a mineral naturally present in seawater. Unlike lead, it poses no toxicity to marine ecosystems. Simply replacing lead weights can reduce marine heavy metal pollution by thousands of tons annually.

Aligned with Carbon Neutrality Policy

Officially certified under the Ministry of Environment Green Technology program. Compliant with Korea's carbon neutrality policy under Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality, Article 60.

80% Cost Reduction for Fishers

Zinc weights last 5x longer than lead, cutting per-fisher annual replacement costs by over 80%. Proven in the Goseong County, Gangwon pilot program.

10-Year Lifespan, Minimal Replacement

Under 1g weight loss recorded in 30-month real-use tests. Verified durability enables 10+ year use compared to lead weight replacement cycles of 1–2 years.