Fishing trawler sea

An industrial fishing trawler at sea, a controversial technique that drives the global economy and impacts marine ecosystems.

About this subject

A fishing trawler is a vessel designed to tow a net (trawl) through the water or along the seabed, catching large quantities of fish, shrimp, and other marine organisms. This technique, known as trawling, accounts for about a quarter of global fish consumption but is also criticized for its environmental damage. Trawlers are classified into two main types: bottom trawlers, which scrape the seafloor, and midwater trawlers, which operate at intermediate depths. In Brazil, trawling is widely used in the southern and southeastern states, especially for catching pink shrimp and yellow hake. The Brazilian trawler fleet consists of thousands of vessels, many of them artisanal, but pressure on fish stocks has sparked debates on regulation and sustainability. Despite its productive efficiency, bottom trawling can destroy habitats like corals and reefs, and generate large amounts of bycatch (accidental capture of non-target species), including sea turtles, dolphins, and seabirds. Measures such as turtle excluder devices (TEDs) and nets with selective mesh sizes aim to mitigate these impacts. Internationally, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) promotes guidelines for responsible fishing, but enforcement remains challenging in international waters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fishing trawler?

It is a vessel that uses a trawl net to capture large volumes of fish, shrimp, and other marine organisms by dragging the net through the water or along the seabed.

What are the environmental impacts of trawling?

Trawling, especially bottom trawling, can destroy marine ecosystems such as corals and reefs, generate large amounts of bycatch, and contribute to overfishing.

Is trawling allowed in Brazil?

Yes, but it is regulated by agencies like IBAMA and the Ministry of Fisheries, with restrictions on areas, closed seasons, and requirements for turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in some regions.