Councillors have overwhelming backed a campaign which has hauled hundreds of tonnes of rubbish out of the North Sea.
The Fishing for Litter project encourages trawlermen to collect waste from the waters in an effort to protect the environment.
Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Macduff harbours are all part of the scheme, which is overseen by an international group of local authorities called Kimo.
Yesterday Aberdeenshire’s infrastructure committee gathered to consider the council’s future with the group and unanimously backed renewing its membership.
Chairman David Aitchison said: “I think it’s a very worthwhile organisation to be included in. The cost is exceedingly low and I would propose we remain a member of Kimo.”
The membership fee next year is expected to be around £2,700.
Councillor Peter Argyle said: “I think there are some very serious issues in our seas relating to litter and one which has now turned to micro plastics.”
Fraserburgh member Charles Buchan said: “The Fishing for Litter scheme provides really important benefits for our skippers.
“Before when skippers brought back rubbish they had great difficulty getting local authorities to take it away. Instead they put it back overboard.”
It is estimated that by Christmas, 1,000 tonnes of waste will have been removed from the ocean since Scottish fishermen joined the initiative a decade ago.