Decades after heavy bottom trawling, Chile's seamounts remain ecologically degraded, new research shows. The findings highlight the lasting impact of deep-sea fishing practices on fragile marine habitats.

A Legacy of Destruction

Bottom trawling, a fishing method that drags heavy nets across the ocean floor, was once widespread around Chilean seamounts. These underwater mountains are biodiversity hotspots, but trawling scraped away corals and sponges that provide essential habitat for fish and other marine life.

According to the study, even after fishing pressure ceased, these ecosystems have not bounced back. Recovery has been slow or nonexistent, leaving large areas barren and depleted.

What the Research Found

  • Seamounts that were trawled show significantly lower species diversity compared to untouched areas.
  • Habitat-forming species like cold-water corals and sponges are notably absent or severely reduced.
  • Fish populations that rely on these habitats remain suppressed.

Why Recovery Is So Difficult

Deep-sea species grow slowly and reproduce late, making them especially vulnerable to disturbance. Unlike shallow-water environments, seamount ecosystems cannot quickly regenerate. The physical damage to the seafloor itself—broken rocks, compacted sediment—also persists for decades.

The study's authors emphasize that protecting these areas from future trawling is critical, but even with protection, full recovery may take centuries.

Implications for Marine Conservation

This research underscores the importance of proactive measures, such as marine protected areas (MPAs) and stricter fisheries management. Chile has established some MPAs around its seamounts, but the study suggests that more needs to be done to ensure these habitats are not further degraded.

Bottom trawling is banned in many international waters, but enforcement remains a challenge. The findings serve as a reminder that the damage from industrial fishing can outlast the activity itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Chilean seamounts remain degraded decades after bottom trawling ceased.
  • Recovery is extremely slow due to the fragility of deep-sea ecosystems.
  • Conservation efforts must focus on preventing future damage and allowing long-term recovery.