European Citizens Petition to End Bottom Trawling in Marine Protected Areas
This week, a coalition of small-scale fishers, scientists, citizens, and civil society organizations presented a petition to the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, signed by over 250,000 European citizens. The petition calls for an end to bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs) across the European Union.
The group is urging Commissioner Costas Kadis to fully enforce the existing Habitats Directive, maintain the goals of the 2023 EU Marine Action Plan, and address the issue of bottom trawling in EU MPAs through the upcoming Ocean Pact.
The petition handover in Brussels, organized by Patagonia, WeMove Europe, ClientEarth, and other organizations from the Protect our Catch campaign, marks the culmination of a series of similar initiatives targeting national governments and garnering support from citizens in the UK, Germany, and Spain at the end of last year.
Recent polls have shown that 82% of citizens across seven EU countries support stricter regulations on bottom trawling, with 73% in favor of banning the practice in EU MPAs. This public sentiment aligns with the petition’s goals and reinforces the need for immediate action.
The release of David Attenborough’s film, “Ocean,” which exposes the damaging effects of bottom trawling, has further fueled public outcry and demands for change.
As the third UN Ocean Conference approaches, set to begin on June 9 in France, expectations are high for nations to make new commitments, especially regarding MPAs. However, a leaked draft of the Ocean Pact suggests that it may not address bottom trawling or other destructive fishing practices adequately.
Vera Coelho, deputy vice president at Oceana in Europe, speaking on behalf of the participating civil society organizations, emphasized the urgent need for action. She stated, “The European Ocean Pact must prioritize the real protection of EU marine protected areas to benefit the ocean, fishers, and coastal communities. By leading by example, the EU can contribute significantly to the global 30×30 target at the upcoming UN Ocean Conference.”
It is imperative for the European Commission to ensure that Member States comply with European environmental laws and protect their MPAs from destructive activities like bottom trawling. The EU has committed to conserving and effectively managing 30% of its waters by 2030, in line with international targets.
The organizations involved in the petition delivery express concerns over statements supporting a “site-by-site” approach to MPA protection, arguing that a systemic solution is needed to effectively safeguard the current 5,000 European MPAs.
With mounting pressure from citizens, experts, and advocacy groups, the call to end bottom trawling in EU MPAs is gaining momentum. Commissioner Kadis and the European Commission face a critical decision in shaping the future of marine conservation and sustainable fishing practices in the region.