Between 2009 and 2021 almost the complete beam trawl fleet of the Netherlands switched from conventional beam trawls (BT) to pulse trawls (PT) using electrical stimulation to catch sole, Solea solea . Electric fishing, being banned in the EU in 1988, was made possible in 2006 under a derogation. Over the years stakeholders expressed concern about ecosystem effects. Here we review the research conducted. PT improved the selecti...

Electrical pulse trawling is an alternative to conventional beam trawling for common sole ( Solea solea ), with substantially less discards, lower fuel consumption, and reduced impact on the benthic ecosystem. Pulsed electric fields are used to drive the fish from the seafloor and immobilise them in front of the nets. Concerns exist, however, that the electric fields may affect fishes outside the trawl track. Here, we address...

Electrical pulse trawling is an alternative to conventional beam trawling for common sole ( Solea solea ), with the potential for higher revenues and less impact on the marine ecosystem. Concerns exist, however, that benthic invertebrates might be seriously affected by pulse fishing. Even if direct injuries and mortality were limited, changes in behaviour might compromise their survival, with potentially large impacts on food...