Report | November 16, 2022
Review of the science on the impacts of bottom trawling on the climate
So far, most climate research has focused on how fisheries will be affected by climate change, rather than on how they contribute to it. But it is becoming clear that bottom trawling can impact the climate crisis in two major ways: firstly, through the burning of fossil fuels to catch, transport and process seafood, and secondly, through gear contact with carbon-rich seabed habitats.
The Transform Bottom Trawling Coalition, of which Oceana is a member, has produced a very informative briefing on Bottom trawling & the climate crisis, which summarizes this emerging field of research, outlining the known major impacts from bottom trawling on greenhouse gas emissions and identifying key mitigation opportunities.

