Bottom trawling: ban could be extended in protected areas

The government has proposed an extension to the ban on bottom trawling, a fishing method that involves dragging large nets across the sea floor.

Defra has outlined plans to ban the practice in more Marine Protected Areas to protect rare marine animals, as well as the seabeds on which they rely, from “indiscriminate and potentially irreversible damage”.

A consultation will invite marine and fisheries stakeholders to share their views and evidence on the prohibition of destructive bottom-towed fishing gear that could affect approximately 30,000km² spanning 41 MPAs.

“Bottom trawling is damaging our precious marine wildlife and habitats,” said environment secretary Steve Reed. “Without urgent action, our oceans will be irreversibly destroyed – depriving us, and generations to come, of the sea life on which we all enjoy.

“The government is taking decisive action to ban destructive bottom trawling where appropriate.”

The measures, the government explained, would protect marine habitats and support marine species such as lobster, clams, soft corals and langoustines, used for scampi.

It said it would also allow seabeds to recover from damage caused by these fishing practices, which in turn would produce healthier marine ecosystems across English waters, supporting greater biodiversity in UK waters.

“Destructive bottom trawling has no place in Marine Protected Areas,” said executive director of non-profit Oceana UK, Hugo Tagholm. “These proposals provide a golden opportunity to safeguard these vital marine sanctuaries from the most damaging fishing practices.

“If these whole-site bans are fully implemented, this could provide an invaluable and urgently needed lifeline for England’s seas, which are so crucial for wildlife and climate resilience.”

The proposed measures would add to the approximately 18,000km² of English seabed already protected from bottom-towed fishing gear and form part of the government’s programme to protect English MPAs from harmful activity.

The consultation will be launched by the Marine Management Organisation in partnership with Defra and run for 12 weeks from 9 June to 1 September.