The ongoing transformation of bottom trawling fishing in the world and in Türkiye over the past 25 years.
Coast and seas
Abstract
Abstract
Bottom trawls, an effective and widely used method for fishing in parts of the seabed and a few meters above, are constantly evolving and skillfully improved worldwide. The structure and equipment feature of trawl nets are increasing their fishing capacity in accordance with modern technology. Many electronic devices also enhance fishing activities and increase catch efficiency in the identification of target species. On the other hand, this situation also negatively affects the natural state of the marine ecosystem, especially the fish bottoms. Therefore, it is one of the most debated and subject to various bans and restrictions on fisheries worldwide. Various methods exist in different countries in Europe, Australia, and the Far East, according to their own conditions and characteristics, to sustain this fishing profitably without negatively impacting the marine ecosystem and fish stocks. This research aims to evaluate the academic studies of the dynamic development process of bottom trawling over the last 25 years, its current bans and restrictions, and to compare it with diverse practices in other geographical areas. This research's data source consists of bottom trawling operations in our country's seas and participation in bottom trawling operations in countries on different continents, examining the catch composition, catch yield, and the effectiveness and results of various bans and restrictions imposed on this type of fishing. According to the research findings and results, although each country imposes numerous bans and restrictions on bottom trawling, the catch of non-target species, also known as discards, and economically valuable species that have not reached reproductive maturity at a young age and size, constitutes at least one-third of the total catch on average in all countries. This ratio varies depending on the country and the species being caught. For sustainable fisheries, it is crucial that the bans and restrictions imposed on this fishing gear, considering the dynamic characteristics of our seas affected by climate change, are updated promptly when necessary, taking into account location, time, and technical specifications, and that the decisions made are meticulously monitored in practice in the field.
Keywords: Bottom trawling, bottom-dwelling fish, sustainable fisheries, fish finder devices, discard species
