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Autumn Catlin
Period: 3
12/17/15
Deep-sea trawling is destroying coral reefs and pristine marine habitats
By Ian Sample February 18, 2010
Deep-sea trawling is devastating corals and pristine marine habitats that have gone untouched
since the last ice age, a leading marine biologist has warned. A survey of the world's reefs and
seamounts – giant submerged mountains that rise more than a kilometre above the seabed – has
revealed widespread damage to the ecosystems, many of which are home to species unknown to
science, said Jason Hall-Spencer at Plymouth University in the UK. Hall-Spencer, a researcher involved
with the Census of Marine Life, a worldwide project to catalogue life in the oceans, called for the
establishment of an international network of marine reserves where deep-sea trawling was banned.
Deep-sea trawlers use giant, heavy-duty nets that are dragged over the seafloor at depths of more than
a kilometre. The nets are fitted with rubber rollers called "rock hoppers", which destroy the corals that
provide habitats for fish and other marine organisms. The technique was developed for use in shallow
waters with smooth sea floors, but as fish stocks dwindled and technology improved, fishing fleets
began using the nets in much deeper waters. Hall-Spencer said marine biologists have surveyed fewer
than 1% of an estimated 50,000 seamounts in the world's oceans. "Our research visits have revealed
pristine coral reefs and many species that are brand new to science," Hall-Spencer said. "Over the past
five years, these surveys have also worryingly revealed that all over the world, deep-sea habitats are
suffering severe impacts from bottom trawling. "It doesn't matter what ocean you go to, these habitats
are being trashed by international fishing fleets. What is urgently needed is a network of protected
areas where any type of fishing gear that involves dragging equipment across the sea bed is banned."
Each trawler typically crisscrosses an area of ocean around 33 kilometres square. Among the most
threatened sites are cold water coral reefs in temperate regions, which are still being discovered.
Sizeable areas off the west coasts of Scotland and Ireland have been severely damaged, Hall-Spencer
told the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in San Diego
today. "I've seen areas that are pristine and untouched since the ice age and these are worth
protecting," he said. "The coral is white or bright orange, and there are fans as high as your chest. These
are particularly vulnerable to trawling. Unlike shallow water reefs, they don't have to be strong enough
to withstand large waves and they can't cope." The Norwegian government has banned deep-sea
trawling over the Røst reef, the biggest cold-water reef in the world, which was only discovered in 2002.
The three kilometre-wide strip is teeming with life and stretches for almost 40 kilometres at a depth of
450 metres. Similar bans are in place at a number of other sites around the world, but more are needed,
Hall-Spencer said.
Autumn Catlin
Period: 3
12/17/15
Deep-sea trawling is destroying coral reefs and pristine marine habitats
By Ian Sample February 18, 2010
Deep sea trawling is a technique used in commercial fishing. A giant, heavy net is used and is
dragged along the seafloor at depths of more than kilometres. The nets have these rubber rollers that
destroy corals which provide habitats for fish and other organisms. Hall-Spencer said "Over the past
five years, these surveys have also worryingly revealed that all over the world, deep-sea habitats are
suffering severe impacts from bottom trawling.” No matter what ocean you go to habitats are being
trashed and destroyed by international fishery organizations. The article stated that each trawler
typically crisscrosses an area of ocean around 33 kilometres square. It really has caused a drastic decline
of biodiversity. Bottom trawling damages everything at the bottom floor but also catches anything in its
way. As fisheries catch the unwanted things, the organism is most likely dead, so that’s one less
organism the ocean needed. Something needs to be done. The Norwegian government has banned
deep-sea trawling over the Røst reef, the biggest cold-water reef in the world, which was only
discovered in 2002.
I chose this article because not only our on land environment has been damaged by us humans,
but also ocean species and organisms. It so sad that we humans take everything for granted and not
notice the damage we do. I find it interesting that even fishing techniques also have its cons. I like
finding out details, so I know what is bad and good. I never knew bottom trawling had such a negative
impact on the seafloor. People should really be informed because they are not only catching fish, but
damaging corals which are “shelters” and homes for fishes.
I believe that they should ban bottom trawling everywhere because it would really help out an
issue causing damage to ocean floors. It would be one less thing us humans are doing to impact your
environment and such beautiful sights and even inducing extinction. It is very sad to see us do this to
our world because we trash it and don’t even realize half of the damage we cause. People should invent
techniques that are safer. When you fish with bottom trawlers you don’t only damage the sea floor but
you also catch organisms that you might not want; so if you do catch something you don’t want by the
time it is taken out, it’s most likely dead. That’s a waste and could have been one more organism that
could have reproduced to make more biodiversity.