The destruction caused by Trawling is seriously affecting marine ecosystems. This method has serious consequences for the environment, including the reduction of biodiversity, as unwanted species are captured and discarded, often dead or injured. A particularly serious problem in protected areas, such as those in Spain, where regulations are often not respected.
What is trawling?
La Trawling Trawling is a fishing method widely used in various parts of the world, characterized by the use of nets dragged along the seabed. This system is mainly implemented by large vessels known as trawlers, which extend nets along the seabed with the aim of catching commercial species. These nets, which can reach enormous dimensions, sweep the seabed indiscriminately, capturing everything in their path, from fish to unwanted organisms such as corals and crustaceans.
Although efficient at catching large quantities of fish, trawling is extremely damaging to ecosystems. The impact is especially devastating at depth, where it takes decades or even centuries for affected organisms to recover. Large numbers of non-commercial species are also caught, known as bycatch, a problem that has been documented in several scientific studies.
This technique not only affects species of commercial interest, but also destroys the habitat of many other marine creatures. Among the most affected are corals and seagrass beds, which are essential for the stability of the marine ecosystem.
Consequences of trawling
The impact of bottom trawling on ecosystems is extensive and devastating. Here are some of the most significant effects:
- Damage to the seabed: The heavy nets of trawlers dragged along the seabed destroy natural habitats. This damage is comparable to desertification on land, as trawling stirs up sediment and destroys essential habitats such as coral reefs and posidonia meadows (a plant unique to the Mediterranean).
- Bycatch: This problem concerns the capture of non-target species, which often include endangered animals such as sharks, rays and sea turtles. 92% of fish discards in the European Union are attributed to trawling.
- Impact on fish populations: Trawling does not discriminate between young and adult fish, which seriously affects the reproductive capacity of species. This practice increases the risk of overexploitation of species such as hake and monkfish, which are already showing alarming declines in their populations.
- Habitat destruction: In addition to capturing species, trawling destroys habitats essential for marine life. By disturbing the seabed, carbon-rich sediments that have been deposited for centuries are released, exacerbating the problem of climate change.
Trawling in protected areas
A worrying phenomenon is the practice of trawling in marine protected areasAccording to data from 2022, in Spain, 75% of fishing vessels engaged in this technique fished in legally protected areas. This not only violates biodiversity protection laws, but directly impacts the effectiveness of these areas as refuges for marine fauna. The accumulation of marine litter and the lack of surveillance in many areas further aggravate the problem.
Trawlers operating within protected areas not only threaten vulnerable species, but also interfere with broader conservation efforts. In the specific case of Spain, more than 178.000 hours of fishing have been recorded in protected areas, which is alarming given the critical state of marine ecosystems in these areas. It is essential that stricter protection measures are applied and illegal fishing in these areas is severely punished. Current regulations, often ineffectively managed, are not sufficient to curb this type of activity.
Climate impact of trawling
Trawling not only affects biodiversity, but also has a significant impact on climate changeMarine sediments are important carbon stores, which when removed and released by trawling contribute to the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. It is estimated that trawling releases more CO2 than the aviation industry. This phenomenon exacerbates the climate change crisis, as the oceans are a crucial element in capturing atmospheric carbon.
By destroying sediments and habitats that serve as “carbon sinks,” this natural cycle is disrupted and contributes to the buildup of CO2 in the atmosphere. In fact, a 2024 study noted that bottom trawling could release up to 370 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This figure is alarming, as it means that bottom trawling is not only contributing to the destruction of marine ecosystems, but also to the acceleration of global warming.
Alternatives to trawling
With growing awareness of the harmful effects of bottom trawling, researchers and environmental organizations are advocating for more sustainable fishing methods. These include:
- Artisanal fishing: This type of fishing, which uses traditional methods, is much less harmful to the environment and has a reduced impact on marine biodiversity.
- Longline fishing: Unlike trawls, longlines allow for selection of the species caught and avoid incidental capture of unwanted species.
- Sustainable aquaculture: One of the most promising options, this technique involves breeding fish in controlled environments to reduce pressure on wild populations.
The scientific community and environmental organizations agree that a transition to more sustainable fishing practices is vital to preserve the balance of the oceans. In addition, it is essential that governments intervene to implement effective environmental protection policies within their territorial waters.
International regulations and efforts
The European Union and various international bodies have begun to implement restrictions on trawling. In 2022, the EU announced its intention to ban this type of fishing in 87 marine areas of the Atlantic by 2030. In addition, in 2023, Spain regulated the number of days that the trawling fleet could fish, which it hopes will reduce the environmental impact of its activities. However, the implementation of these regulations has met with strong opposition from the fishing industry, which argues that trawling represents up to 40% of the sector's turnover in Europe.
In light of this reality, it is essential to find a balance between environmental sustainability and the economic needs of the fishing sector. Greater efforts are needed to educate consumers to choose fish obtained through sustainable techniques and to create greater incentives to encourage a transition to less destructive techniques. Any effort to protect the marine environment must include not only a ban on trawling in protected areas, but also policies that promote responsible aquaculture and artisanal fishing as viable substitutes for fish supplies. Trawling is one of the main threats to marine biodiversity.
Despite being an efficient method of obtaining large quantities of fish, its impact on marine ecosystems and the climate is devastating. Only through regulation and a shift towards more sustainable practices can we avoid a future in which our oceans become deserts without marine life.