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Story: Law of the sea

Damage caused by bottom trawling

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Damage caused by bottom trawling

Despite its stance on drift netting, New Zealand is guilty of the destructive fishing practice of bottom trawling. This has a damaging effect on the sea floor, which is home to important marine life. Damage to the fragile coral–forest ecosystem can be seen at the right of this photograph. Leftover pieces of net also endanger marine life.

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NIWA – National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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How to cite this page

Bill Mansfield, Law of the sea – Protecting the oceans, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/6976/damage-caused-by-bottom-trawling (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Bill Mansfield, published 2 March 2009.