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Shipwrecks are havens for wildlife in areas threatened by fishing

In areas of the sea affected by bottom trawling, marine life is more abundant in and around shipwrecks, suggesting they should be considered important conservation sites

By Gennaro Tomma

5 December 2023

Wrecks can be valuable habitats for corals, sea anemones and other animals on the sea floor

Marcus Rose

Shipwrecks can provide an important refuge for marine life in areas subject to heavy fishing pressure, despite being an unnatural part of the ecosystem.

Bottom trawling, which involves dragging nets across the seafloor, has a devastating impact on biodiversity, destroying whole ecosystems and pulling up many animals that weren’t intended to be caught.

However, fishing boats that use this practice often avoid shipwrecks, as they can represent a danger to the boat and gear.

“Shipwrecks…

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