Bottomdragging

Bottomdragging is a maritime term describing the practice of using gear that makes contact with and is dragged along the seabed. It is most commonly associated with fishing, but can also refer to scientific sampling and certain salvage activities.

In fishing, bottom dragging typically means bottom trawling, where a net is towed close to or along the seafloor. Ground gear, sometimes weighted or designed with specific doors, helps keep the net open as it moves. This method targets demersal and bottom-dwelling species such as cod, haddock, flatfish, and other shelf or slope fish. The practice can disturb sediments, crush or bury benthic organisms, and produce bycatch of non-target species, with effects varying by depth, substrate, and gear.

Environmental and regulatory considerations focus on reducing habitat damage and bycatch. Many regions impose spatial closures, gear restrictions, and seasonal bans in sensitive areas. Mitigation approaches include designing lighter or more selective gear, modifying ground gear to reduce seabed contact, implementing bycatch reduction measures, and enforcing surveillance and gear deployment limits.

Beyond fishing, a bottom drag can also refer to devices or procedures used to sample or disturb the seabed for scientific or exploratory purposes, such as collecting benthic organisms or sediment yields. In all uses, bottomdragging involves deliberate contact with the seabed and is subject to management practices designed to balance resource use with ecosystem protection.