Comparative Analysis of Carbon Emissions from Trawl Fisheries in India within a Global Framework

Abstract

This study compares the carbon footprint of trawler operations in India with that of other global regions and explores key management and technological interventions to reduce emissions. The research aims to quantify emissions from Indian trawl fisheries, particularly those using bottom-contact gears, and compare these with emissions from trawlers in the Mediterranean, Europe, North America, and Oceania. Secondary data on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions were collected from published assessments of trawlers operating in Kerala and along India’s northwest coast, as well as global datasets. Emission intensities, initially reported in kilograms of CO₂ equivalents per tonne of fish (kg CO₂ eq t⁻¹ fish), were converted to kilograms per kilogram of fish (kg CO₂ eq kg⁻¹ fish) for consistent comparison. The findings reveal that bottom-contact gears, such as otter and beam trawls, generate significantly higher emissions per unit of catch compared to mid-water or pelagic trawls. This is primarily due to greater fuel consumption and the release of carbon from disturbed seabed sediments. In India, large multi-day trawlers emit more CO₂ per kilogram of fish than smaller, single-day vessels, showing a positive correlation between vessel size, engine power, and carbon intensity. Optimizing vessel speed, downsizing engines, and adopting energy-efficient harvesting technologies could reduce emissions by 20-40%. Innovations like pulse trawling, selective gear, and AI-based monitoring also offer promising pathways for reducing emissions. Despite the lower carbon footprint of trawl-caught fish compared to many terrestrial animal proteins, bottom trawling remains one of the most carbon-intensive fishing methods when accounting for seafloor disturbance. The study underscores the need for harmonized data, particularly in India, to better understand and mitigate the carbon impacts of global fisheries.