A *Ocean & Coastal Management* study pegs the net societal cost of bottom trawling in European waters up to €16 billion annually. This massive figure dwarfs the industry's estimated profit of €180 million. Costs include a staggering €1.17 billion in subsidies to European taxpayers and hundreds of millions wasted from discarded catch.

The conflict boils down to valuation. Researchers and experts like Professor Enric Sala argue that ignoring massive societal costs—like CO2 from burning fuel and damaging seafloor carbon—renders the practice an 'economic failure.' Conversely, proponents insist that industry revenue is the only valid metric for assessment. Meanwhile, Jerry Percy noted that small-scale fishers prove feeding communities sustainably does not require destroying spawning grounds.

The overwhelming weight of expert analysis points to the current industrial model being economically unsustainable. The consensus, backed by policy shifts like Greece banning trawling in MPAs by 2030, is that current cost-benefit analyses must incorporate ecological and carbon damage, not just narrow market profits.