The Food Chain Bottom trawling and the future of global fish supplies
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Aug 27, 2025 Rashid Sumaila, a fisheries economist from the University of British Columbia, dives into the chaotic world of bottom trawling. He reveals how this destructive fishing method threatens global fish supplies and devastates fragile ecosystems. The discussion touches on overfishing and prevalence of illegal catches, while highlighting the struggles of small-scale fishers. Stock depletions impact communities, especially in West Africa, where local fisheries face severe challenges from industrial trawlers. It's a call to action for sustainable fishing practices.
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Fleetwood Fisherman Fears Losing Livelihood
- John Worthington has fished around Fleetwood since age 15 and sees trawling as his family's lifeblood.
- He fears proposed bans and regulations will end his ability to fish from his home port.
Trawling Supplies A Quarter Of Global Catch
- Trawling (midwater and bottom) accounts for about 25–30% of global fish catch, roughly 30 million tonnes.
- Bottom trawling damages seabed habitats while midwater trawling avoids the seabed and is less destructive.
High Seas Governance Gap Fuels Overfishing
- Oceans are split into national EEZs (200 nm) where countries can regulate fishing and the high seas where governance is weak.
- Weak management on the high seas enables concentrated industrial fishing and resource depletion.