Ottertrawling

Ottertrawling is a method of fishing that uses a trawl net dragged through the water behind one or more boats. The net is designed to capture fish swimming in the water column or near the seabed. There are two main types of otter trawling: pelagic trawling, which targets fish in the open water, and bottom trawling, which targets species that live on or near the seabed.

In otter trawling, otter boards or 'doors' are attached to the sides of the net. These boards are shaped to spread the net open horizontally as it is towed through the water, creating a wide opening to scoop up fish. The size and depth of the trawl net can vary significantly depending on the target species and the fishing grounds.

Ottertrawling is a widely used commercial fishing technique globally due to its efficiency in catching large volumes of fish. However, it has also been the subject of considerable environmental debate. Concerns are raised regarding the potential for bycatch, which is the unintentional capture of non-target species such as marine mammals, seabirds, and undersized fish. Bottom trawling, in particular, has been criticized for its impact on benthic habitats, such as coral reefs and seagrass beds, due to the dragging of heavy gear across the seabed. Various management measures, including gear modifications, area closures, and quotas, are implemented in many regions to mitigate these environmental impacts.