This solution is developed by:
Contact between bottom trawl gears and the seabed can result in physical disturbance of benthic habitats and increased drag, leading to higher fuel consumption and associated CO₂ emissions. Reducing seabed contact while maintaining effective fishing performance is a key challenge for more sustainable bottom trawl fisheries.
The MarineGuardian aligned rolling footgear solution aims to reduce the area of seabed contact and overall drag by redesigning footgear components, while remaining compatible with commercial bottom trawl operations.
The challenge
Conventional bottom trawl footgear often involves multiple contact points with the seabed, which can increase both the physical impacts on seabed habitats, the resistance during towing as well as the fuel consumption and operational costs.
Addressing these impacts requires new bottom trawl designs that minimise contact with the seabed without compromising gear stability or fishing efficiency.
The solution
This MarineGuardian solution focuses on the development of an aligned rolling footgear system for bottom trawls.
The design works by:
- Reducing the number of contact points between the trawl and the seabed
- Aligning footgear discs in the direction of tow, improving hydrodynamic efficiency
- Using rolling footgear discs, which reduce friction compared to static contact
Together, these features reduce seabed disturbance and drag, contributing to lower fuel use and reduced environmental impact.
Development and progress
The development of the aligned rolling footgear follows a stepwise approach:
- A model-scale footgear has been built
- A flume tank testing plan has been developed
- Consultation with industry is ongoing to ensure operational feasibility
- Flume tank testing is planned for early 2026
Expected impact
The aligned rolling footgear for bottom trawls is expected to contribute to:
- Reduced seabed contact and habitat disturbance
- Lower drag and reduced fuel consumption
- Improved environmental performance of bottom trawl fisheries
