Op-ed: What science says about the sustainability of trawling (by Ray Hilborn)

October 11, 2022

With a constant flow of misinformation on the topic of trawling, it’s refreshing to read a fact-filled, science-based review of this method of harvesting. This op-ed by Professor Ray Hilborn from the University of Washington’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences contributes meaningful information to the conversation about food production. He starts off by explaining “there is no question that bottom-trawling has environmental impacts, as all food production does, but there is misinformation floating around about the true impact of bottom-trawling, especially in comparison to other types of fishing and food production.”

The op-ed was published on Sept. 26, 2022 on the SeafoodSource.com website.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced today that it is cancelling the Offshore Wind lease auction scheduled for October 15, 2024. Read BOEM’s explanation of the cancellation here.

Earlier in the day, Oregon Governor Tina Kotel had also indicated to BOEM that the process they were undertaking didn’t adhere to “the Oregon Way” and asked them to halt the auction. Read the Governor’s letter here.

Representatives of several organizations related to commercial fishing, seafood processing, and coastal communities said they wer relieved to get the news. You can read their statement here.

Midwater Trawlers Cooperative sends a hearty thanks to the Oregon Coastal Caucus, Governor Tina Kotek, OR Natural Resources and Climate Advisor Karin Power, Tribal governments, and all who took time to write letters, testify, and otherwise organize against this rush toward offshore wind.