Publication Abstract

Ecosystem effects of demersal fishing: A European perspective

Ecosystem effects of demersal fishing: A European perspective

S.I. Rogers, M.J. Kaiser and S. Jennings

This paper reviews the most recent developments in European research on the ecosystem effects ofdemersaltrawling.

It provides a summary of the most prevalent demersal trawl fisheries in the waters of North western Europe, and shows how the perceived effects ofthese gears on the seabed has stimulated interest in the potential for damage to the benthos.There has been a rapid increase in experimental work on the short-term effects of trawling on non-target communities since the 1970s, and some of the more recent studies are described, and the related to the main focus of interest, the North Sea marine ecosystem. New techniques for describing the structure and diversity ofmarine assemblages focus on the impact of fishing on the size structure ofpopulations, and identify fish species which may be most vulnerable through unfavourable life history characteristics. The utility of these measures is described.

Reference:

S.I. Rogers, M.J. Kaiser and S. Jennings, 1998. Ecosystem effects of demersal fishing: A European perspective. pp. 68-78. In: Effects of fishing gear on the sea floor of New England. (ed. E. M. Dorsey and J. Pederson), Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Conservation Law Foundation

S.I. Rogers*, M.J. Kaiser* and S. Jennings*

pp. 68-78. In: Effects of fishing gear on the sea floor of New England. (ed. E. M. Dorsey and J. Pederson), Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Conservation Law Foundation