Overview

• Bottom trawl fishing causes up to €10 billion in annual damages across Europe, including environmental destruction and economic losses.
• The practice disrupts marine habitats, such as reefs and mussel beds, and releases CO2 stored in sediment, exacerbating climate change.
• Despite contributing only 2% to Europe's animal protein supply, bottom trawl fishing remains widespread due to subsidies masking its true costs.
• A significant 12% of bottom trawl fishing occurs in marine protected areas, undermining conservation efforts in critical ecosystems.
• Experts advocate for targeted bans in marine protected areas, which could significantly reduce ecological harm and align with sustainability goals.