Trawling Activity on the BC Coast
The BC Trawl Footprint: A Collaborative Approach to Habitat Conservation
The BC Trawl Footprint: An award winning collaborative approach to habitat conservation
British Columbia’s groundfish trawl fishery has made significant strides in sustainability over the past decades. Through proactive leadership and collaboration with environmental organizations, the industry has become a recognized example of how fisheries can successfully balance ecological stewardship with economic viability. The fishery is widely recognized as a global model of ecosystem-based management and industry-ENGO collaboration.
This landmark change was formalized in the 2012 British Columbia Groundfish Trawl Habitat Conservation Collaboration Agreement, a first-of-its-kind initiative that set new global benchmarks for habitat protection in trawl fisheries. Uniquely developed outside of government, the agreement was the result of sustained collaboration between environmental organizations and fishing industry groups. At the heart of this effort were Bruce Turris and Brian Mose, two industry leaders whose vision, ingenuity, and dedication helped chart a new course for conservation-minded fisheries management.
Award Winning Collaboration:
How it Happened
In 2010, with little movement from the federal government on habitat protections, a coalition of fishing industry organizations (such as the Canadian Groundfish Research and Conservation Society and the Deep Sea Trawlers Association of BC) and ENGOs (notably the David Suzuki Foundation and Living Oceans Society) began informal talks.
Rather than waiting for regulatory reform, they agreed to co-develop a new, science-based, ecosystem approach to bottom trawling. The collaboration was guided by a shared goal: to improve the fishery’s sustainability rating under the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program, aiming for a “yellow” or better habitat score. The Habitat Conservation Collaboration Agreement came into effect on April 2, 2012 and includes four major conservation tools:
Ecosystem-Based Trawling Boundaries
Nineteen polygons were mapped using 537 coordinates, defining a total trawlable area of 31,628 km² – a 21.9% reduction from the historical footprint. Importantly, previously untrawled areas were permanently closed, protecting fragile ecosystems before they were disturbed.
Habitat Conservation Bycatch Limit
This is the world’s first “habitat quota”, implementing a system that incentivizes avoidance and records interception of corals and sponges. The TAC was set in 2012 at 4500 kg annually, and the average annual fleet-wide interception since then has been 227 kg per year.
Encounter Protocol
If a tow exceeds 20 kg of coral or sponge bycatch, the location is flagged, and vessels must avoid further fishing there. This approach has drastically changed fisher behavior, increasing caution in vulnerable areas.
Habitat Review Committee
A joint body composed of ENGO and industry representatives regularly evaluates compliance, monitors bycatch data, and recommends modifications as needed.
Data-Driven Habitat Protection
Prior to 2012, trawling had historically affected over 50% of 32 out of 78 identified benthic habitat types. To measure the impact of the new regulations, scientists used detailed trawl tow data from 2012-2014, tracking gear movement, boundary infractions, and behavioural shifts.
Key results include:
- A drastic drop in coral and sponge catch, from thousands of kilograms annually to below the HCBL targets
- No expansion of trawling into previously untouched areas
- Effective enforcement of the newly established boundaries
Global Recognition: The World’s First Fishery Habitat Quota
This unprecedented agreement earned widespread acclaim, including the 2016 Vancouver Aquarium Murray A. Newman Award for aquatic conservation. Among the recipients was John Driscoll, a PhD student at UBC’s Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, who played a pivotal role in the negotiations.
The success of this initiative demonstrates that collaborative, non-regulatory solutions can create lasting conservation outcomes given the right mix of science, industry leadership, ENGO participation, and market incentives.
