Global Uptick in Trawl Bans
I’ve noticed that a number of countries have moved to reduce or have already greatly reduced shrimp trawling in their waters in recent years.
Here’s a list I put together of all the countries with trawling bans and the years of implementation:
- Ecuador. 2012.
- Belize, 2011.
- Hong Kong, 2011.
- Venezuela, 2009.
- Palau, 2006.
- Gulf of Castellammare (NW Sicily, Mediterranean Sea), 1990.
- Indonesia, 1980.
This appears to be a growing trend judging by the uptick in bans in recent years and current demands for trawl bans elsewhere (e.g. Costa Rica). Anyone have other countries to add to this list? Or other countries where bans are being considered?
FYI, I think trawling is often environmentally unsustainable, but I don’t think ‘trawling’ is synonymous with unsustainable fishing. For instance, two tropical shrimp trawl fisheries have received MSC certification: Australia’s Northern Prawn Fishery and Suriname’s Atlantic Seabob Fishery.
