Post by The Earthshot Prize

New data from National Geographic Pristine Seas (2021 Earthshot Prize Finalist) shows that the economic impact of bottom trawling, which occurs in more than half of Europe’s marine protected areas, is significantly greater than previously understood, with societal costs reaching up to €16 billion per year. The peer-reviewed study details the costs of bottom trawling - a practice that involves dragging heavy nets across the seafloor, affecting everything in its path and releasing carbon long-stored in the seabed. Alongside food waste, subsidies, and fuel, the cost to the European public is approximately 90 times higher than the €180 million in annual profits generated by the industry. Phasing out bottom trawling in marine protected areas and reducing overall trawling activity would enable European nations to significantly reduce carbon emissions and facilitate the fishing industry’s transition to more stable, sustainable practices. See the comments to read the study.

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