In June, Pacific Wild released a major two-year investigation uncovering the devastating impact of industrial trawling hidden beneath the surface of B.C.’s coastal waters.
Our research found that over the past 13 years, just nine trawlers have collectively fished a staggering 89,700 square kilometres of B.C.’s ocean. Repeated trawling adds up to a combined footprint larger than Ireland.
These vessels are targeting B.C.’s most ecologically sensitive regions, and overlapping with critical Chinook salmon routes, threatening the entire coastal food web, including endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales.
With no updated public spatial data from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) since 2016, Pacific Wild conducted its own analysis using commercial AIS tracking data—doing the work the public deserves: transparent, accessible, and evidence-based.
Explore the full investigation of Canada’s deep water shame featuring a powerful story map with exclusive footage and visuals.
View the Interactive Story Map here
Pacific Wild is calling for a ban on industrial trawl fishing to protect B.C.’s vulnerable marine ecosystems. A shift to community-owned, sustainable fisheries would better support coastal livelihoods—and help restore ocean health.
Join the movement: speak up, write to your MP or MLA, and share the facts. Despite what many believe, bottom trawling is still legal in B.C. In fact, a 2022 poll found that over half of British Columbians mistakenly thought it was already banned.
Thanks to national and international media attention, a much-needed spotlight has been cast on industrial trawling along B.C.’s coast.
“Canada’s Pacific Coast hit hard by trawling, with limited transparency: Report” by Edward Carver in Mongabay.
“Industrial trawlers have scoured an area larger than Ireland off B.C. coast, group says” by Paul Johnson and Amy Judd of Global News.
“Factory trawlers have Ireland-sized impact off B.C.’s coast, investigation claims” by Stefan Labbe in Business in Vancouver (BIV).
“Uncovering the Secrets of BC’s Controversial Trawl Fishers” by Amanda Follett Hosgood in The Tyee.
“Industrial Trawlers Devastate 90,000 km² of B.C. Coastline: Pacific Wild Investigation Reveals Ecological Crisis” by Inga Yandell in BEJournal.
We’re deeply grateful to renowned fisheries scientist Dr. Daniel Pauly for lending his voice—and decades of expertise—to represent Pacific Wild in an in-depth French-language interview on Radio-Canada’s Panorama with host Grégory Bernard.
“Trawlers are machines for destroying life in the sea.”
— Dr. Daniel Pauly
This devastation must end and ecologically-sensitive fishing replace it. Let the First Nations lead the way to protect their fisheries and, by extension, for everyone else.
This is an unacceptable practice that Canada should be ashamed of
and WOULD BE, if it was more widely known by its citizens.