Energy direct inputs and greenhouse gas emissions of the main industrial trawl fishery of Brazil

- Between 2003 and 2011Brazilian trawlers burned over 141.5 million liters of fuel.
- Annual fuel use intensity varied from 0.36-0.48 l/kg (mean = 0.42 ± 0.05 l/kg).
- In the period 2003-2011 trawling operations emitted 104.07 GgC to the atmosphere.
- Annually trawl fleet CO2 emissions oscillated between 36,800-49,500 tons.
- Shrimp and deep water fish landings had a higher environmental cost.

This study provides first-time estimates of direct fuel inputs and greenhouse gas emissions produced by the trawl fishing fleet operating off southeastern and southern Brazil. Analyzed data comprised vessel characteristics, landings, fishing areas and trawling duration of 10,144 fishing operations monitored in Santa Catarina State from 2003 to 2011. Three main fishing strategies were differentiated: 'shrimp trawling', 'slope trawling' and 'pair trawling'. Jointly these operations burned over 141.5 million l of diesel to land 342.3 million kg of fish and shellfish. Annually, 0.36-0.48 l were consumed for every kg of catch landed. Because all fishing strategies relied on multispecific catches to raise total incomes, estimates of fuel use intensity were generally low but increased 316-1025% if only nominal targets were considered. In nine years, trawling operations emitted 104.07 GgC to the atmosphere, between 36,800-49,500 tons CO2 per year.