Product development
We are developing a solution that allows efficient bottom fishing without physical contact with the seabed.
Our goal is to replace the current bottom trawling method with our concept by using pelagic trawling.
Background and problem
Bottom trawling is one of the most efficient industrial fishing methods. It accounts for approximately 25% of all wild-caught seafood, but current practices have major environmental consequences.
The seabed is one of the world's largest carbon stores. Global marine sediments store between 1 500 and 2 300 billion tonnes of carbon. When bottom trawls are dragged along the seabed, sediments are stirred up, releasing large amounts of carbon that would otherwise have been stored for hundreds or thousands of years. It is estimated that approximately 5 million km² of seabed is destroyed annually by bottom trawling, which corresponds to around 9% of the world's seabed. These areas contain an estimated 360 billion tonnes of organic carbon in the upper sediment layers (Lindemann, 2025).
In Norwegian waters, the challenge is great. Bottom trawling affects an area of approximately 1.62 million km² annually, and more than 800 million tonnes of carbon are stored in the top ten centimetres of the seabed alone (Andaur, 2025). When these stores are disturbed, it contributes to significant CO₂ emissions and reduces the ocean's ability to sequester carbon.
Underwater image shows how bottom trawls scrape against the seabed.
Bottom trawling dissolves CO2 sediments that contribute to coral bleaching.
In Europe, there are discussions in several places about introducing regulations and bans on bottom trawling. The European Court of Justice issued a statement in May 2025 that all its member states should ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas. (Unric, 2025) In June 2025, the British authorities announced that they now have plans to ban bottom trawling in more than half of their protected marine areas. (NTB, 2025)
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References
(Andaur, 2025) - Andaur, Karoline (2025, June 20) Bottom trawling is not climate friendly . Fiskeribladet. Retrieved 02.09.25 from https://www.fiskeribladet.no/debatt/bunntraling-er-ikke-klimavennlig/2-1-1836110
(Stoltze, 2024) - Stoltze, Kaspara (2024, October 15) The City Council wants an end to trawling in the Oslo Fjord . NRK. Retrieved 02.09.2025 from The City Council wants a ban on bottom trawling in the Oslo Fjord – Greater Oslo
UNRIC (2024, 22 May) The future of the ocean at stake: New EU ruling affects the Nordic seas . UNRIC. Retrieved 04.09.2025 from https://unric.org/no/havets-framtid-pa-spill-ny-eu-dom-pavirker-de-nordiske-havene/
Teknisk Ukeblad (2024, March 29). Great Britain warns of irreversible damage – extends ban on bottom trawling . TU.no. Retrieved 04.09.2025 from https://www.tu.no/nyhetsstudio/storbritannia-advarer-mot-irreversibel-skade-utvider-forbud-mot-bunntraaling/80871
Our solution
Bottom trawling is highly topical, both because of the market and, not least, the enormous environmental impacts. Trawl Tech will offer the fishing industry an alternative to bottom trawling to avoid the environmental problems, while still making it possible to catch the same types of fish. We will do this by instead utilizing a pelagic trawl, which does not come into contact with the seabed. Pelagic trawls are generally not designed to catch bottom-dwelling fish such as cod and haddock, but with our product we will increase efficiency.
Solution benefits
Today, there are no good alternatives to bottom trawling. Trawl Tech AS offers an innovative solution that addresses the severe environmental consequences of bottom trawling. The emissions from bottom trawling are caused by destruction of the seabed, which is the world’s largest carbon store. By implementing our solution, shipping companies reduce CO₂ emissions from the seabed. Unlike bottom trawls, the pelagic trawl is not dragged along the seabed, allowing companies to also cut major fuel costs.
Our solution introduces a new way of conducting sustainable bottom fishing without seabed contact. The method enables companies to meet the stricter environmental requirements that will come in the future. The combination of sustainability and increased market value makes our solution unique for the trawl industry.
Vision
Bottom fishing without bottom impact
Sustainability
Innovation
