bodemtrawling

Bodemtrawling, or bottom trawling, is a commercial fishing method in which a large trawl net is dragged along the seabed by a pair of heavy doors or beams. The contact with the seafloor allows the net to capture demersal fish and bottom-dwelling invertebrates, depending on region and depth.

Gear and operation: Trawls can be otter trawls, beam trawls, or other variants. The doors or beams press the net open and maintain seabed contact during towing. Mesh size, ground gear, and tow duration are chosen to target specific species while complying with regulations.

Environmental impacts: Bottom trawling disturbs and can destroy seabed habitats such as soft sediments, reefs, and seagrass meadows. It resuspends sediments, reduces benthic biodiversity, and can disrupt ecosystem services. Bycatch of non-target species, including juveniles, is common, and discarded catch adds pressure on vulnerable populations. Disturbance may also release stored carbon from sediments.

Regulation and management: The practice is subject to regional rules that may include protected areas, seasonal closures, minimum mesh sizes, and gear restrictions. Some regions establish no-trawl zones or limit fishing effort to reduce environmental impact, while others promote gear modifications to lessen seabed contact.

Mitigation and alternatives: Measures to reduce impact include spatial planning, selective gear designs, reduced tow duration, and shifting pressure to less sensitive habitats or pelagic fishing. Ecosystem-based management aims to balance catch with habitat protection and biodiversity conservation.