According to a study, bottom trawling costs European society between 330 million and 11 billion euros each year. These figures raise a simple question: why do we continue to subsidize such a destructive and unjustifiable practice?
Bottom Trawling: A Hidden Cost, A Losing Society
Bottom trawling is nothing new. As early as the 14th century, British fishermen were already denouncing its devastating effects. Today, scientists are speaking out. Spanish marine biologist Enric Sala, founder of the Pristine Seas program at National Geographic, has led a study estimating the costs of bottom trawling. According to his calculations, this destructive fishing practice costs European society between 330 million and 11 billion euros each year, largely due to CO₂ emissions caused by the disturbance of marine sediments.
“The fishing lobby highlights the benefits of trawling for society—jobs, income, food—but never mentions the costs,” says Enric Sala. When taking into account negative externalities such as subsidies, carbon emissions, and biodiversity loss, the equation is clear: even at the lower estimate, society is at a loss.
Source: wedemain
