Trawling is the most common method of fish harvesting in U.S. commercial fisheries, widely used to catch species like cod, haddock, and shrimp.

Trawling involves dragging a large net through the water or along the ocean floor to capture fish. It is a highly efficient method for harvesting large volumes of fish, making it a dominant technique in commercial fisheries. There are two main types: bottom trawling, targeting demersal species like flounder and shrimp, and midwater trawling, focusing on pelagic species like herring and mackerel. While effective, trawling has raised environmental concerns due to bycatch and potential damage to seafloor habitats, prompting efforts to improve its sustainability through gear modifications and stricter regulations.