Bottom Trawling in Europe Releases 112 Million Tons of CO2 Annually
oceanographicmagazine.comA new study reveals that bottom trawling in Europe, the UK, Norway, and Iceland releases 112 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. The emissions come from both heavy fuel consumption and the physical disturbance of the seafloor, which releases centuries of stored carbon into the atmosphere. Research indicates the practice costs society up to 16 billion euros annually, far outweighing the 180 million euros in industry profits. Despite the environmental damage, the industry is supported by 1.17 billion euros in annual government fuel subsidies.
