Small-scale fishers and environmental groups have long criticised bottom trawling for its negative impact on coastal fisheries and ecosystems. Emerging research suggests that bottom trawling’s impacts extend beyond seabed damage and overfishing and include significant contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions. If current estimates are correct, then bottom trawling may be one of the most carbon-intensive methods of producing food. In this special COP26 panel discussion, a global panel of experts will explore bottom trawling’s place in a zero-carbon future.