Whitton et al (2024) The impact of mobile demersal fishing on blue carbon in seabed sediments Bangor University
This study investigates whether mobile demersal fishing, such as beam trawling and scallop dredging, affects blue carbon stored in seabed sediments. Experimental fishing trials conducted off southwest England measured organic carbon in sediments and in the water column before and after fishing activity. The results showed very low organic carbon concentrations in the coarse sandy–gravel sediments studied and no significant reduction in sediment carbon following fishing. Although some sediment resuspension was observed, there was no clear or significant increase in organic carbon in the water column and no evidence of rapid remineralisation linked to fishing activity. The authors conclude that in low-carbon, permeable shelf sediments typical of many fishing grounds, the impact of mobile bottom fishing on seabed carbon storage is likely to be limited. They also highlight the substantial uncertainties in current estimates of carbon release from bottom trawling and stress the need for more empirical studies across different habitats before using blue carbon arguments to justify broad management measures.
