Heart of the brand: Transforming discarded fishing nets into premium sunnies
Stand out ethical practices: Traceable marine plastic + Circular economy principles
Brand founder: Harry Dennis and Gavin Parker
Established: 2018
Location: Cornwall, UK
Harry Dennis and Gavin Parker are living out the proverb ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’. Waterhaul, the brand they founded together in 2018, exists to transform ocean waste into purposeful, high quality products.
The most common plastic found in our oceans isn’t the infamous straw but discarded fishing gear. Around the world, fishing communities often lack the means to responsibly dispose of worn-out nets. This leads to an accumulation of ‘ghost gear’ which is abandoned equipment that makes up an estimated 46% of the floating Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Made from incredibly durable plastics, these old nets can continue catching fish for centuries, posing a deadly threat to marine life.
Waterhaul’s founders saw an opportunity in this problem. These nets, though dangerous as waste, are incredibly tough, slightly flexible, and perfectly suited as a raw material for durable products. By turning a threat into a resource, they could incentivise the recovery of ghost gear from coastlines and harbours.
In Harry’s words, “If there were £20 notes floating around in the ocean, they’d get picked up pretty quickly.” And sunglasses offered the perfect vehicle for a fun, stylish product that could share a message of ocean protection.
Dive deeper into the Waterhaul story here.
