Threats to marine biodiversity - bottom trawling

Bottom trawling is a method of fishing that involves dragging heavy weighted nets across the sea floor, in an effort to catch fish. It is especially used by commercial fishing companies because it can catch large quantities of fish in one go.

However, this fishing method has a severe impact on the seabed, destroying habitats, especially areas with corals and sponges. Bottom trawling disturbs ecosystem balance, and because it’s a non-selective fishing method, it causes unwanted bycatch, which can affect even endangered species. Bottom trawling also has a high carbon footprint, which disturbs the oceans’ ability to absorb carbon and regulate the climate. 

Bottom trawling is widely used, and unbelievably, it is even used in marine protected areas. Such destructive fishing practices cannot continue. Their impact must be drastically reduced to allow marine species and habitats to recover.