Protect Europe’s Marine Protected Areas from Destructive Bottom Trawling

Desperate calls have gone out to European leaders to take urgent action against destructive fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, that threaten the integrity of marine protected areas (MPAs) and the future of our oceans.

The Problem: Bottom Trawling Devastates Marine Life

Bottom trawling, a method involving heavy nets dragged along the seabed, is devastating marine ecosystems. Even within designated MPAs, this practice wreaks havoc on biodiversity, disrupts delicate habitats, and releases vast amounts of CO2.

This destructive fishing method not only harms marine life but also impacts small-scale fishers and coastal communities who rely on healthy oceans for their livelihoods.

Failing Promises: No Meaningful Progress in Protecting MPAs

Despite President Macron’s stated commitment to “ambitious goals for biodiversity and especially for the ocean,” campaign groups claim France has failed to implement meaningful progress in banning bottom trawling within its MPAs.

This inaction undermines France’s position as a leader in ocean conservation and threatens the very purpose of marine protected areas.

The Call for Action: Stop Bottom Trawling in MPAs

Campaigners are urging EU leadership, including Commissioner Kadis, to double down on enforcing existing regulations and implement a ban on destructive fishing like bottom trawling within MPAs.

They point to overwhelming public support for stronger marine protection, with 90% believing MPAs are essential for preserving marine biodiversity and 73% supporting a ban on bottom trawling within protected areas.

Raising Voices Nationwide: Fishermen and Experts Sound the Alarm

“As small-scale fishers, we rely on traditional, low-impact methods that respect the ocean and our culture. However, industrial and bottom trawling in marine protected areas threaten our future. To ensure the continuity of our profession, it is essential to protect and promote artisanal fishing,”

– Isaac Moya, fisherman in Catalunya and co-founder of sustainable fisheries collective Empesca’t

“Bottom trawling in MPAs is incompatible with sustainable fishing. The science is clear and the fishing tells the same story, we need to protect our ocean if we are to continue fishing.”

– Federico Gelmi, low-impact fisher, from Pantelleria, Italy

“Today, France is responding to the climate, social and environmental emergency with inaction and deception. This must and can change: we have no choice, as all scientists say, but to stop destroying the ocean and to finally protect it. The future of the ocean, the climate, and humanity, lies in the balance. President Macron must rise to the challenge and respond to the challenges we face by creating genuine marine protected areas, free from industrial infrastructure and activities such as trawling, by excluding mega-trawlers from our territorial waters, in order to protect ecosystems and coastal fishers, and by advocating for a treaty and legislation on the non-proliferation of fossil fuels”

– Claire Nouvian, Founder & General Director, BLOOM

Urgent Action Needed for Healthy Oceans

Campaigners emphasize that urgent action is needed to protect our oceans. They call for a complete ban on bottom trawling in all MPAs and a shift towards sustainable fishing practices that safeguard marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of those who depend on the ocean.

Take Action: Protect Our Oceans

Join the movement to preserve our oceans! Contact your elected officials, urge them to support legislation protecting MPAs from destructive fishing practices, and spread awareness about the importance of sustainable seafood choices.