A trawler that pulls nets the length of six football pitches nicknamed ‘a floating Death Star’ was fishing off the coast of Ireland in March. FV Margiris can process 250 tonnes of fish in one day. Constantly travelling to new areas of ocean, super trawlers keep filling their nets, and leaving behind swathes of water that has had the life taken out of it. They also leave small-scale fishers struggling in their wake.
Working to understand the livelihood and ecology of small-scale fishing, Rodrigo Oyanedel, researcher at the SECOS Institute, Universidad Catolica de Chile accompanied fishers on their boats. He recognises obstacles, yet retains hope that small fishing boats can provide sustainable fish for sale.