New Report Highlights €10 Billion Annual Costs of Bottom Trawl Fishing in Europe

The study underscores the environmental and economic toll of the practice, calling for bans in marine protected areas to curb damage.

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.