Bottom trawling may irreparably damage sea mount habitats

In an article published in August 5, 2020 by Oceanbites.org, there are several fishing methods that poses a threat to our seamounts, which are underwater mountains that form important habitats that are considered hotspots of biodiversity, acting as aggregators for a variety of animals, including highly sought-after fishes.

Bottom Trawling, despite its notoriously destructive method, remains a popular fishing method responsible for catching around 25% of all wild-caught seafood. Its weighted down net indiscriminately collects animals living on or near the bottom of the ocean. Laying waste on the seafloor, it tears up rocks and the leaving things on them, thereby damaging critical components of the ecosystem other animals rely on for food and shelter.

In a historically heavily trawled seamount, even after 14 years, shows no sign of recovery. In result heavily trawled seamounts has less abundant and less diverse animals, than those experiencing low to no trawling.

As this is an issue that scientists have yet to explore and know the full consequences of, we can help protect seamounts by supporting the designation of marine protected areas and avoid buying and eating fish caught in seamount bottom trawls like Orange Roughy.

Click this link for the complete article.