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ICES - Working Group on Electrical Trawling (WGELEKTRA)

Within ICES, the Working Group on Electrical Trawling (WGELECTRA) works on improving knowledge of the effects of electrical fishing on the marine environment. The Working Group provides the basis for the scientific advice of International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to the European Union and the member states.

This Working Group examines the effects of electrical fishing on the reduction of by-catch, the impact on bottom habitat, the impact on marine fauna, energy saving and climate related issues. The effects are studied in view of current technical developments on electrical fishing.

In 2020 two important ICES documents were published:

  • In March 2020 the Working Group on Electrical Trawling published a technical report where it analysed the possible contribution of pulse trawling to reducing or increasing the ecosystem/environmental impacts of the North Sea sole fishery and its fuel consumption. This report can be downloaded here: http://doi.org/10.17895/ices.pub.6006
  • In May 2020, ICES published its advice after it was requested to provide advice on the possible contribution of pulse trawling to reduce or increase the ecosystem/environmental impacts of the fishery for sole in the North Sea. The advice can be downloaded here: http://www.ices.dk/sites/pub/Publication%20Reports/Advice/2020/Special_Requests/nl.2020.03.pdf

Documents