UK’s failure to ban bottom trawling in protected marine areas threatens biodiversity

The UK government’s decision not to ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs) has drawn widespread criticism from environmental groups, scientists, and MPs. As highlighted by David Attenborough, the destructive practice of dragging weighted nets across sensitive seabeds is likened to bull... [More info]

They've folded to the fishing industry

Industrial supertrawlers are plundering Britain’s marine sanctuaries -- dragging weighted fishing nets across the seabed and stripping vital habitats bare in a process known as bottom trawling.

But the government is under growing pressure to outlaw this destructive practice, with David Attenborough calling it out in his latest documentary, and Sweden and Greece announcing bans.

Tell the new environment minister to ban #BottomTrawling in UK seas!

https://act.weplanet.org/ban-bottom-trawling-UK-waters

#environment #ocoans #fishing #nature

Bottom trawling to continue in English protected waters, government rules https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/09/bottom-trawling-to-continue-in-english-protected-waters-government-rules

#England #environment #waters #BottomTrawling

Yet again, this Labour government capitulates to corporate interests and allows destructive bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs).

Other countries are banning the practice. The EU has a goal to ban it in all its marine protected areas by 2030, Sweden has banned it, as has Greece.

#BottomTrawling #Fishing #UKPolitics #MPAs
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/09/bottom-trawling-to-continue-in-english-protected-waters-government-rules

There is ample and growing evidence of the harm #bottomTrawling causes in the ocean. Primarily to biodiversity but also to the oceans capacity to regulate climate. It is absolutely indefensible to continue this destructive, reckless practice in the middle of an ecological crisis. 🌊

"Bottom trawling is a fishing practice that is notoriously destructive to seafloor ecosystems. Now there’s growing evidence that it might unleash planet-warming carbon"

A Controversial Fishing Method May Dredge Up a Climate Time Bomb
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bottom-trawling-could-unleash-carbon-dioxide-worsening-global-warming/

#ProtectTheOcean #BanBottomTrawling #oceans #fisheries

#BottomTrawling

We need to stop the madness...

https://theecologist.org/2025/aug/19/ban-bottom-trawling-protected-zones