The Leven Mor is one of the first craft in Argyll and Bute to take part in the 'Fishing for Litter' initiative, which encourages fishermen to take ashore litter they catch while fishing by providing the infrastructure required.
Administered by KIMO, the European local authorities environmental organisation, and overseen locally by Argyll and Bute Council, the scheme includes the provision of large, heavy duty bags so that any waste participating boats collect can be easily stored and deposited in a special bin on the quayside.
Bins capable of holding 1,100 litres have just been delivered to Rothesay and Campbeltown - where the owner of another fishing boat, the Kelly Emm, has also signed up to the scheme - and will be uplifted once a week.
Bute councillor Len Scoullar, who is also Argyll and Bute's spokesperson on island and European affairs and the authority's representative on KIMO, said: "This is a very innovative project which has been extremely successful so far in other parts of Europe.
"Despite many programmes and legislation to reduce marine litter, it remains one of the most significant environmental problems and affects the marine environment on a worldwide scale."
Recent studies have found that about 20,000 tonnes of litter – predominantly plastic – is dumped into the North Sea alone every year. Of that, 70 per cent sinks to the sea bed, 15 per cent floats on the surface and 15 per cent washes up on beaches.
"There is an abundance of scientific evidence which proves that sea life has been significantly affected by the increase in marine waste," Cllr Scoullar added.
"Thousands of species of bird, fish and mammals are suffering every year in Europe's waters as a result of this problem.
"In addition, the litter can cost the fishing industry tens of thousands of pounds per boat every year through contamination of catches, broken gear and fouled propellers."
* Photo of Leven Mor above supplied by Zak Harrison and reproduced with permission - more of Zak's photographs at www.pbase.com/zak355 and www.pbase.com/rothesay.