Modern Trawler Ship and Traditional Fishing Practice

Modern trawler boat or ship has been criticized by many marine environmentalist to be the cause of major damages to coral reef in various parts of the world. We cannot deny that the ships with their high capacity fishnet can catch tons of fish, big and small, in just one trawling. Naval architects and ship designers have to adapt or be aware of the criticism by designing fishing vessels which are more environmentally friendly. For instance, to protect damages both to the propulsion system and the coral reef, the marine propeller has to be protected with nozzle. The shrouded propeller will not greatly damage the coral reef if the ship is moving on shallow water.

Naval architects and fishermen must also stop installing bottom trawling equipment in trawlers to further protect the marine environment. In addition, the hoze size of the fishnet has to be bigger to enable smaller fish to escape during the trawling. In cooperation with local marine authorities, certain coastal areas have to be assigned as No Take Zone areas to provide space for fish to breed sustainably.

In the Pacific region where the indigenous people still live in traditional ways, their sea water territory has been heavily exploited and abused. It is sad to see that the indigenous people of Papua cannot stop modern fishing fleet taking fish just several miles from their beach. It is also ironic to see how the indigenous Papuan have to struggle at night catching fish with only very simple fishing gear such as fishing spear and bamboo torch. I will write more about this issue in another post about how local Papuan catch fish at night. by Charles Roring. Also read: Sustainable Fishing Practice by Papuan Woman; Efficient propulsion system in ships and boats