Although line-fishing is a selective and gentle fishing method, it presents significant challenges related to gear positioning, gear loss, and environmental impact. Lines are often set at great depths and under challenging seabed conditions, particularly in halibut fisheries, where currents, weather, and seabed topography increase the risk of lines shifting, snagging, or being lost.
Lost lines contribute to ghost fishing, cause economic losses for fishers, and require extensive cleanup efforts, as clearly documented in the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries’ recovery operations.
