Ocean Trawling Releases Significant Carbon Dioxide, Study Finds

The controversial fishing practice may be contributing to climate change and ocean acidification, but the findings are disputed by some scientists.

Bottom trawling, a controversial fishing practice, may release as much as 370 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, equivalent to about half the emissions produced annually by the entire international shipping industry.
Carbon dioxide is released when the practice stirs up long-buried organic matter trapped in the ocean floor, some of which makes its way to the surface and diffuses into the air.
55 to 60 percent of the CO2 released into the water column by trawling ultimately escapes into the atmosphere, typically within seven to nine years.
The released CO2 that remains in the ocean is acidifying the surrounding waters, which can dissolve the shells of crabs, mussels, sea urchins and other seafood people depend on.
The findings are controversial, with some scientists suggesting the paper has overestimated the emissions associated with trawling.