Parliamentarians urge ministers to take action and ban destructive bottom trawling in UK’s Marine Protected Areas.
To mark Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday and one year since his Ocean documentary, a group of MPs and Peers have called on the Government to ban bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), in particular the 41 areas where the Government pledged to ban bottom trawling last June but has not yet taken action. They warn that the UK’s marine habitats are still being irreversibly damaged by one of the most destructive fishing practices.
In a letter to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, signed by 16 members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Ocean, parliamentarians urge ministers to commit to a comprehensive, well-resourced MPA strategy that includes a ban on bottom trawling and support for the industry to transition away from this damaging practice.
Sir David Attenborough’s Ocean documentary brought attention to the severe and often irreversible impact of bottom trawling on our seafloor and marine ecosystems, including within areas designated for protection. Bottom trawling is widely recognised as one of the most damaging forms of fishing.
Sarah Champion MP, Chair of the APPG for the Ocean, said:“Marine Protected Areas were designed to preserve some of our most valuable marine habitats. Destructive practices like bottom trawling not only run counter to this aim, but risk destroying our oceans.
“Partial restrictions are simply not enough; and risk pushing damage into other vulnerable waters. With clear public backing for stronger protections, and 8 in 10 people supporting a ban, now is the time to deliver full protection for our MPAs and end bottom trawling in these sites.
“We urge the Government to stop paying lip service to MPAs, take real action to end bottom trawling and provide our oceans with the protection they so desperately need.”
The APPG’s letter is calling for the Government to:
- Ban bottom trawling in all MPAs across the UK, particularly the 41 sites consulted on last year
- Commit to a comprehensive MPA strategy that ensures MPAs are fully protected rather than partially, including banning harmful activity and robust monitoring
