What is the Difference Between the Demersal Fishing Industry and the Pelagic Fishing Industry?

The demersal fishing industry and the pelagic fishing industry are two distinct sectors of the commercial fishing industry that target different species of fish and employ different fishing methods.

Demersal Fishing

  • Targets fish that live on or near the seafloor, such as cod, haddock, and flounder.
  • Uses bottom trawls or longlines to catch fish that rest on the bottom or swim close to it.
  • Operates in shallower waters, typically continental shelves and slopes.
  • Has a higher environmental impact due to bottom disturbance and bycatch.

Pelagic Fishing

  • Targets fish that live in the open ocean, such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon.
  • Uses purse seines, gillnets, or trolling lines to catch fish that swim in mid or surface waters.
  • Operates in deeper waters, extending from near-shore to offshore areas.
  • Has a lower environmental impact compared to demersal fishing due to less bottom disturbance and bycatch.

Key Differences

  • Target species: Demersal fishing targets fish that live on or near the seafloor, while pelagic fishing targets fish that live in the open ocean.
  • Fishing methods: Demersal fishing uses bottom trawls or longlines, while pelagic fishing uses purse seines, gillnets, or trolling lines.
  • Water depth: Demersal fishing operates in shallower waters, while pelagic fishing operates in deeper waters.
  • Environmental impact: Demersal fishing has a higher environmental impact due to bottom disturbance and bycatch, while pelagic fishing has a lower impact.

Related Questions and Answers

  1. What types of fish are caught by demersal fishing? Answer: Fish that live on or near the seafloor, such as cod, haddock, and flounder.
  2. What is the most common fishing method used in pelagic fishing? Answer: Purse seines.
  3. Which fishing sector has a higher environmental impact? Answer: Demersal fishing.
  4. What is the difference between trolling and gillnets? Answer: Trolling involves dragging a baited line behind a moving boat, while gillnets are stationary nets that entangle fish by their gills.
  5. Which fishing industry targets tuna? Answer: Pelagic fishing.

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