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A trawl is a conical net used in commercial fishing to catch fish by being dragged through the water or along the seafloor. Trawlers are specialized vessels designed for this purpose, varying in how they deploy and haul the nets. Side trawlers set nets over the side, while stern trawlers use ramps to haul catches aboard. Some modern trawlers are equipped as floating factories, processing fish at sea.12

Dragged gear, including trawls and dredges, is significant in commercial sea fisheries. Trawls can be used by small vessels or large, mechanized fleets. The net is bag-shaped with a wide opening and a closed end, designed to guide fish into it. To keep the mouth open, a beam or otter boards are used. Mid-water trawling targets fish between the ocean bottom and the surface, while bottom trawling can significantly disturb the seafloor and harm marine ecosystems.23

Bycatch, the unintentional capture of non-target organisms, is a concern with large nets like trawls. This can include fish, mammals, birds, and other animals, many of which are discarded back into the ocean, often dead or dying. Efforts are underway to develop solutions to reduce bycatch and its impact on marine life.4

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