Tråding

Tråding, or trawling in English, is a commercial fishing method in which a large net, the trawl, is dragged through the water by a fishing vessel to capture fish and other marine organisms. The net is kept open by devices such as otter boards or doors and guided by the net’s wings, with a ground rope along the seabed. In some setups, tickler chains may be used to disturb the seabed and flush fish into the net. Trawling can be conducted in demersal (bottom) or pelagic (midwater) zones.

Trawl types include bottom trawls, used for species like cod, haddock, and flatfish, and pelagic trawls, used for midwater species such as herring and mackerel. Gear components typically include the headline rope, ground rope, wings, net panels, and otter boards; some configurations employ tickler chains. Tow duration and speed depend on target species, weather, and vessel size, with typical speeds around 2–4 knots.

Operation and catch: trawling is conducted from small to large commercial vessels. Tow times range from short durations to several hours, and catches are hauled aboard, sorted, and landed. The method is valued for its efficiency and ability to target specific fisheries, though it is often criticized for ecological impacts.

Environmental and regulatory aspects: trawling can disturb seabed habitats, cause bycatch, and affect non-target species. Many regions regulate trawling through gear restrictions, protected areas, seasonal closures, and fishing quotas. Measures such as bycatch reduction devices and selective gear are used to mitigate impacts, with regulation varying by jurisdiction.

In Norwegian and Swedish contexts, tråding refers to the same practice of dragging a trawl net to harvest fish, reflecting the regional terminology for this fishing method.