Bottom Trawling Fishing

New Zealand is an example of a nation that has been at the forefront of bottom trawling sustainability efforts and has already instituted protection efforts that ban bottom trawling in 17 different areas covering 30 percent of its EEZ, more than a million kilometres that stretch from sub-Antarctic waters to sub-tropical ones.

These large areas are broadly representative of the seafloor (or benthic) habitats within New Zealand's EEZ. Research is underway to refine the nature and extent of the different benthic ecosystems within the EEZ, and it is anticipated the protected areas of seafloor will be reviewed as more detailed information becomes available.

The satellite tracking system employed by the New Zealand Government's Ministry of Fisheries - a system which has tracked all fishing vessels within the country's ocean for more than 20 years - shows that less than 10% of the EEZ has ever been bottom trawled.  

There is no question that bottom trawling interacts with the ocean floor and its irresponsible use has the potential to damage that eco system. But even the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization recognises that, despite rhetoric, "the short and long-term impact on the bottom environment is poorly documented despite some scientific experiments" and "more research on possible impact of bottom trawling is urgently needed to evaluate the effect on the environment."  Statements like these do more than suggest that the international jury should be calling for more research rather than an immediate ban.

In the meantime, new developments in trawl technologies are reducing the impact of bottom trawl fishing in the limited areas it occurs in New Zealand waters.  The New Zealand seafood industry is keen to see more research and adequate data supplied before extreme measures are implemented.  Measures that could unnecessarily impact economically on sustainably managed fisheries that are leading the world in establishing an acceptable balance between utilisation and sustainability.