Welfare of Deep Sea Fish Affected by Deep Sea Trawling

Deep sea trawling targets species like orange roughy and Patagonian toothfish, causing welfare harm to target and bycatch species in ancient deep sea habitats.

Key Facts

Orange roughy can live over 150 years and do not reach reproductive maturity until 20-30 years old
Deep sea trawls destroy cold-water coral habitats that take centuries to develop
Bycatch in deep sea fisheries includes sharks, rays, and many non-target fish species
Decompression injury causes gas bubble formation as fish are rapidly hauled from depth
Deep sea ecosystems are among the least studied and most sensitive to disturbance

Welfare Considerations

Fish caught in deep sea trawls experience decompression injury as they are hauled from high pressure depths to the surface, causing gas bubbles in their tissues causing pain. Deep sea species are poorly adapted to survive handling and are rarely returned alive when caught as bycatch. The destruction of ancient coral and sponge habitats eliminates refuge for countless invertebrates. Deep sea ecosystems recover on timescales of centuries making trawl damage effectively permanent in human timeframes.

What You Can Do

Avoid orange roughy, Patagonian toothfish, and other vulnerable deep sea species
Support MSC-certified deep sea fisheries with stricter bycatch standards
Advocate for deep sea marine protected areas prohibiting bottom trawling
Support international efforts to regulate high seas fishing including deep sea species