Environment
Longline is regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly harvesting methods for wild fish.
CO2-emissions is regarded as one of the main environmental challenges in our time. The fuel consumption of hauling a 10-millimeter longline rope versus operating a bottom trawl is calculated to be less than 50 % per kilo catch, and in average one kilo of wild caught cod produce only 10 % of the carbon footprint as one kilo of beef[1].
Vulnerable bottom areas such as coral reefs have been treated by human activities, among them bottom trawling. In a large scientific study lead by United Nations scientists, Longline fishery is evaluated to have a minimal benthic impact compared to other demersal fishing methods [2].
Ghost fishing is another environmental challenge caused by fisheries activity and is almost non-existent in Longlining. When hooks are rid of bait they are not attractive to fish anymore and will consequently not catch any while a lost gillnet has proven to catch and kill fish for a long period after being lost[3].
[2] Suuronen et. Al 2012: Low Impact and fuel efficient fishing- Looking beyond the horizon. Fisheries Research 119-120 (2012) p. 135-146.