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Story: Marine conservation

A net from the ocean floor

A net from the ocean floor

This is the wholesale harvest from bottom trawling, in which an enormous net is pulled along the sea floor to catch species such as orange roughy. The haul includes many species (sea urchins, crabs, other fish) that are of no commercial value. These unwanted creatures are dumped overboard. Many scientists and environmentalists are calling for a moratorium on bottom trawling.

About this item

NIWA - National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching and Carl Walrond. 'Marine conservation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 24-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/marine-conservation/5/6