Trawler, Vlissingen, The Netherlands.

Fisherman taking a break while working on repairs to the pulse nets on the beam trawler 'Boeier' (SCH 18). Vlissingen, The Netherlands.

Pulse nets emit an electrical pulse around the net which shocks fish out of the seabed, pushing them up into the net.

It is claimed that pulse trawling causes less damage to the seabed and the fish caught than traditional beam trawling.

The nets are also lighter, which leads to lower fuel costs, making this form of fishing very popular in some countries, although in others it remains controversial due to uncertainty about its impact on the marine ecosystem.