Environmental impacts of a demersal freeze trawler on a fishing trip basis

F. Ziegler, E.A. Groen, S. Hornborg, E.A.M. Bokkers, K.M. Karlsen, I.J.M. de Boer

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstract

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) quantifies the environmental impact of products, often using annual average data. Fisheries often show high spatial and temporal variability within a year and annual values may be too coarse to identify causes and improvement options on an appropriate level. Using LCA methodology, we analysed two years of data of a demersal freeze trawler targeting cod, haddock, saithe and shrimp mainly in the Norwegian and Barents Seas. The product was a kg of landed fish or shrimp from one fishing trip, frozen at sea. We quantified standard LCA impacts and biotic indicators (e.g. impacts on target and bycatch stocks) showing large variation between fishing trips. Fuel use was the main driver of emission-based impacts. Shrimp trawling was more fuel intensive than fish trawling per kg landed, due to lower catch rates. Bycatch (defined as catch of species other than the main target species) was low due to use of a species-selective grid in shrimp trawling. Fish trawling required less fuel, but landed varying amounts of bycatch. Quantifying environmental impacts of seafood products on a fine scale could help fishing companies, managers and certifiers to better understand the effect of decision-making on the environmental performance of seafood products.
Original languageEnglish
PagesG:23-G:23
Publication statusPublished - 2014
EventICES Annual Science Conference 2014 - Coruña, Spain
Duration: 15 Sept 201419 Sept 2014

Conference/symposium

Conference/symposiumICES Annual Science Conference 2014
Country/TerritorySpain
CityCoruña
Period15/09/1419/09/14

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Environmental impacts of a demersal freeze trawler on a fishing trip basis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this