McLaverty et al (2026) The relative effects of bottom trawling, organic enrichment, and natural environmental factors on coastal seabed communities ScienceDirect
This study examines the relative effects of bottom trawling, organic enrichment, and natural environmental factors on coastal seabed communities. The results show that natural environmental conditions and organic enrichment—such as nutrient inputs and sediment characteristics—play a stronger role in shaping benthic communities than bottom trawling in the areas studied. While trawling can influence seabed ecosystems, its effects were generally smaller compared with broader environmental drivers. The authors conclude that multiple factors interact to determine the condition of seabed communities, and that understanding these combined pressures is essential for effective ecosystem management. The study highlights that natural variability and land-based influences can have equal or greater effects than fishing disturbance, suggesting that seabed management should consider the full range of environmental pressures rather than focusing on a single activity.
