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<p>Bottom trawls are used by all parts of the fishing fleet, from small day boats
to large offshore vessels. In 2021, fishing with bottom towed gears in the UK Exclusive
Economic Zone by the UK fleet represented approximately 30% of the total tonnage,
by value this was 45%. The economic importance to coastal communities varies, but
there are significant trawler fleets in the South West of England. There is currently
no commercially viable replacement for bottom trawling to catch the high-value species
targeted (e.g. cod, haddock, scallops). There is work underway to progressively address
the environmental effects of bottom trawling, working alongside the fishing industry,
academia, and other stakeholders including through Fisheries Management Plans, the
first of which were published in December 2024. The issue needs to be approached carefully
to ensure the environmental, social and economic pillars of sustainability are balanced.</p>
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