Bottom trawling involves pulling heavy metal equipment and nets weighing several tonnes across the ocean floor, capturing nearly all marine life in its path. This destructive fishing method significantly impacts marine ecosystems and is prevalent in areas intended to protect Britain’s cherished wildlife, such as puffins and porpoises, as highlighted in the latest report by Oceana UK, titled Trawled and Mauled.
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Currently, no UK marine protected areas (MPAs) fully protect whales, dolphins, or porpoises from bottom trawling across their entire sites, and only two MPAs offer full protection for seabirds.
Seabirds
Out of a total of 113 MPAs, which should serve as safe havens for these species, only a limited area equivalent to the size of the Isle of Wight is covered.
Clive Mills, a fisherman from Sussex, shared his firsthand experience: “I used to own a trawler and would spend entire days and nights at sea. I witnessed the damage firsthand. It’s not just about what you catch; it’s about the destruction caused by bottom trawling on a massive scale. If this happened on land, it would be stopped immediately. People would be outraged. But because it’s out of sight, it continues. We must reassess our actions and focus on sustainable fishing for the future.”
Professor Emma Sheehan, from the University of Plymouth’s marine ecology department, explained: “Bottom trawling negatively impacts seabirds and cetaceans both directly and indirectly.
Threat
Animals can become ensnared in fishing gear, leading to a painful death. Many impacts also arise from changes to the broader ecosystem. Bottom trawling destroys habitats, depletes prey, and creates intense underwater noise. Seabirds and cetaceans, being at the top of marine food webs, rely on healthy ocean ecosystems. Allowing bottom trawling in marine protected areas contradicts their conservation purpose.”
Hugo Tagholm, executive director of Oceana UK, stated, “The severe damage caused by bottom trawling extends beyond the seabed. Species like harbour porpoises, puffins, and terns require healthy habitats and abundant prey. The government cannot claim these areas are protected while permitting harmful trawling within them. Allowing such activities in areas meant to protect iconic species, identified by the government’s assessments as threatened, questions the credibility of the UK’s marine protection efforts and the true scope of its goals.”
