How is the seabed affected when you use bottom-trawls and how different is the impact depending on what bottom dragging tool you choose?
The Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries invests 16 million DKK in a new study focusing on the consequences of bottom-trawling and other questions in a study that will examine the marine environment in Jammerbugt, in the North Jutland Region.
During the last quarter of 2022, nine Danish parties (Socialdemokratiet, Venstre, SF, Radikale Venstre, Enhedslisten, De Konservative, Dansk Folkeparti, Liberal Alliance and Alternativet) agreed on the distribution of free funds under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and decided to invest 16 million DKK into a project with the aim to collect data that might be used to form the basis for future policy plans and thereby support a more sustainable way of fishing. The investment is 75% financed by the free funds and 25% by national funds. Relevant research institutes can apply for the funds and the projects shall be completed during 2023.
Fisheries Minister Jacob Jensen said:
“We must take care of Danish nature and the environment when fishing in our backyard. It requires us to know the impact of different fishing gear used in the marine environment, so that we can take the necessary precautions. Therefore, a pool of 16 million DKK is now being opened, which shall go directly to precisely investigating what bottom-drag tools such as how bottom trawling is affecting the seabed in Jammerbugt. I am very much looking forward to the results, so that in the future we can better preserve and manage the biological resources that are hidden below the surface of the sea.”