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Carbon emissions from trawler fishing on a par with aviation, say ocean researchers
(Reuters, 17 Mar 2021) Protecting just 3.6% of the ocean would cut risk of carbon disturbance due to bottom trawling by 90%, study finds.
Trawling of the ocean floor by fishing fleets releases roughly the same amount of carbon emissions into the water as aviation puts into the atmosphere each year, researchers said on Wednesday, calling for greater protection of the planet's seas.
In a study published in the journal Nature, a team of 26 scientists and conservationists said marine protected areas (MPAs) are an effective tool for restoring biodiversity, expanding seafood supplies and storing climate-heating carbon.
But at present, only 7% of the ocean has been designated or proposed as an MPA, with less than 3% under full or high protection from fishing, mining and other habitat destruction.
The study explored the benefits of boosting that share to at least 30%, a goal governments are being urged to adopt this year when they agree new global targets to stop and reverse the damage humans are causing to nature.
Lead author Enric Sala, who is an "explorer-in-residence" at the National Geographic Society, said ocean life has declined worldwide because of overfishing, climate change and damage to marine habitats.
Reuters, 17 Mar 2021: Carbon emissions from trawler fishing on a par with aviation, say ocean researchers
