Destructive deep-sea trawling destroying marine life.

Deep-Sea Trawling: Why It's Time to Ban This Destructive Fishing Method

Jordan Keane in Climate & Environment August 2025 • 4 min read.

"The controversial practice of deep-sea trawling faces renewed scrutiny as experts call for stricter regulations to protect marine ecosystems and ensure sustainable fishing."

Deep-sea trawling, a fishing method that involves dragging heavy equipment across the ocean floor, is one of the most destructive practices in the world. While favored by the fishing industry for its efficiency, it indiscriminately destroys marine habitats and leaves a trail of devastation in its wake.

The European Union (EU) is scheduled to vote on a proposed ban on deep-sea bottom trawling. This decision marks a pivotal moment for marine conservation, building upon existing prohibitions in shallower waters. A ban could offer a chance for marine ecosystems to recover.

However, intense lobbying against the ban is underway by a fishing industry with close ties to governments and research organizations. These groups have even threatened legal action against scientists who publish data critical of the industry. As the EU Fisheries Committee, which includes members from countries with significant deep-sea fishing interests, deliberates, it's crucial to understand the facts and challenge misleading claims.

Unmasking the 'Truths': Why Deep-Sea Trawling Claims Fall Flat

Destructive deep-sea trawling destroying marine life.

The fishing lobby has launched a campaign using the phrase 'the inconvenient truth' to promote their agenda. These pamphlets suggest that a lighter version of trawling equipment can minimize damage, target species are not being depleted, and non-target catch consists of abundant species. However, these claims do not withstand scrutiny.

Claim: Lighter trawls limit damage. Reality: Trawls need to be heavy and strong to reach depths of 800-1,500 meters and withstand the force of being dragged through the water. The delicate nature of deep-sea organisms makes them vulnerable to any contact with such equipment. It's like arguing a small car does less damage than a large truck – the weight is irrelevant when the impact is devastating.

Claim: Deep-sea fish stocks are sustainable. Reality: Assessments rely on biased industry data from ten index species, ignoring the broader ecosystem impact. Vessels avoid areas without fish, skewing abundance data.
Claim: By-catch is minimal. Reality: Trawls targeting a few species catch over 100 non-target species. The decline of the non-commercial Baird's slick-head, a common by-catch species, demonstrates the problem.
Claim: The French deep-sea fishing sector is sustainable and important. Reality: The sector relies on substantial subsidies and has suffered significant financial losses despite this support. It employs a small fraction of the French fishing fleet.

The vote this month presents an opportunity to redress the damage inflicted on fisheries. Deep-water trawling should be relegated to the annals of history.

A Call to Action: Protecting Our Deep-Sea Ecosystems

The EU's upcoming vote on the deep-sea bottom trawling ban is more than just a regional decision; it carries global implications for ocean conservation. If passed, it would set a powerful precedent, encouraging other nations to adopt similar measures and prioritize the health of our oceans.

It's time for responsible scientists and concerned citizens to speak out against misleading claims and advocate for policies that protect our deep-sea ecosystems. The long-term health of our oceans depends on it.

The time to consign deep-water trawling to history is now. By supporting this ban, we can reverse some of the damage done and safeguard the incredible biodiversity of our deep seas for future generations.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1038/501007a, Alternate LINK

Title: Deep-Sea Trawling Must Be Banned

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: Nature

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Les Watling

Published: 2013-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is deep-sea trawling and why is it considered so destructive?

Deep-sea trawling is a fishing method that drags heavy equipment across the ocean floor. This practice is destructive because it indiscriminately destroys marine habitats. Even 'lighter' versions of deep-sea trawling equipment cause significant damage because any contact with the heavy equipment devastates the delicate deep-sea organisms. The weight of the equipment needed to reach the depths of 800-1,500 meters to withstand the force of being dragged through the water is considerable.

How can the fishing industry claim that deep-sea fish stocks are sustainable, when so many other species are caught in the process?

The fishing industry claims that deep-sea fish stocks are sustainable but these assessments rely on biased industry data from just ten index species, ignoring the broader ecosystem impact. Vessels avoid areas without fish, skewing abundance data. When targeting only a few species they catch over 100 non-target species. For example, the decline of the non-commercial Baird's slick-head, a common by-catch species, demonstrates the problem with focusing on the sustainability of a few index species.

What impact would an EU vote to ban deep-sea bottom trawling have on global ocean conservation?

The upcoming vote by the European Union (EU) on deep-sea bottom trawling could result in a ban. This vote is pivotal for marine conservation. If a ban is passed, it would encourage other nations to adopt similar measures and prioritize the health of our oceans. The vote builds upon existing prohibitions in shallower waters. The EU Fisheries Committee, which includes members from countries with significant deep-sea fishing interests, will deliberate. Their decision could set a powerful precedent.

What tactics does the fishing industry use to prevent a ban on deep-sea trawling?

The fishing industry is actively lobbying against a ban on deep-sea trawling. The industry has close ties to governments and research organizations. They have even threatened legal action against scientists who publish data critical of the industry. The fishing lobby uses pamphlets to suggest that a lighter version of trawling equipment can minimize damage, target species are not being depleted, and non-target catch consists of abundant species.

Is deep-sea trawling beneficial to the economy?

The French deep-sea fishing sector relies on substantial subsidies, despite its significant financial losses. It also employs a small fraction of the French fishing fleet. So the question becomes, is it a sustainable approach to maintain the industry? Is the sector’s damage to the ocean offset by the value it provides?