Ethics with Faith Matters Bottom trawling is one of the most destructive fishing methods possible, both from an ecological and environmental view point. Dragging heavy nets across the seafloor destroys marine life, and beautiful aspects of the sea, such as coral reefs and ecosystems. These are habitats that have taken thousands of years to form. In the longer term, it leads to the end of food chains, which are dependent on coral reefs and this, in turn, results in the reduction of fish stock. To compound the destructive nature of bottom trawling, species that aren’t even targeted are caught up in the process and are then thrown back, dead, into the sea. There are more sustainable ways to catch fish with selective fishing gear, that would provide food and jobs without destroying the planet in the process. Protecting biodiversity is vital for the planet and follows the command in Genesis to be good stewards. By any stretch of the imagination, bottom trawling does not promote good stewardship of the earth.
Research and article by Blessing Ndombele
Picture credits from left to right: Eva Tillmann, Francesco Ungaro, Diego San
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