Bottom trawling ban 'must be top of agenda'

Members of Parliament (MPs) have called on the British Government to implement a total ban on bottom trawling in UK waters, as a former environment secretary expressed concerns that certain companies treat the oceans as if they were a “never-ending resource”.

Labour MP Barry Gardiner stated that trawlers, whose nets can extend for over a mile, are devastating entire marine ecosystems as they “wipe out all forms of life in their path”.

READ: THE CATCH – OUR INVESTIGATION OF BOTTOM TRAWLING

Mr. Gardiner addressed lawmakers in support of the government’s Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Bill, a measure designed to allow the UK to adopt the UN treaty of the same name, which was ratified in June 2023.

Action Required

This Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons on Thursday and is set to move to committee stage, where members will have the opportunity to propose amendments.

The High Seas Treaty aims to safeguard biodiversity in regions outside national waters, which encompasses the high seas and the international seabed, accounting for 61% of the ocean’s surface area.

The treaty seeks to create a framework that could potentially prohibit this controversial fishing method globally, which has faced ongoing criticism due to its environmental ramifications.

This past summer, a government consultation looked into the possibility of banning bottom trawling in designated marine protected areas (MPAs) within UK waters, covering approximately 30,000 square kilometers.

However, MPs have advocated for a comprehensive ban throughout UK waters and a concerted effort to eliminate the practice altogether on a global scale.

Proponent for Change

Mr. Gardiner remarked, “While the massive whaling ships have mostly disappeared, we now see equally large factory vessels exploiting our oceans as if they were an endless source of profit.”

He further illustrated the vastness of the nets used, comparing their length to the distance from the Houses of Parliament to Buckingham Palace and beyond.

“These fishing operations decimate the very populations they aim to catch. This is precisely why we require this Bill,” he added.

Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse (Bath) stated, “The UK should lead the charge for further initiatives to protect our oceans, including banning bottom trawling in marine protected areas.”

Preservation Efforts

“Bottom trawling represents a devastating practice that harms the seabed, indiscriminately kills marine life, and releases substantial amounts of carbon from the seabed, exacerbating climate change,” she said.

Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire) likened bottom trawling to “the underwater equivalent of bulldozing through a wildflower meadow.”

“Once these species disappear, they are lost forever, taking with them intricate ecosystems that unravel, resulting in unforeseen and unavoidable consequences,” he explained.

Seema Malhotra, a minister at the Foreign Office, mentioned that the government has proposed measures to restrict harmful fishing practices in marine protected areas, as necessary, to safeguard certain species and habitats.

Safeguarding Ecosystems

The Bill will also facilitate research collaboration with international researchers in the field of ocean life. It will officially include the UK among 75 other countries already participating in the treaty.

These genetic resources “might be crucial for future medicines, enzymes, and sustainable technologies,” noted environment minister Emma Hardy.

Ms. Hardy emphasized, “While the details of the Bill may seem technical, its implementation will enable the UK to actively engage in global efforts to preserve and utilize ocean resources sustainably beyond national jurisdictions.”

Endorsing the treaty will “protect delicate ecosystems, conserve endangered species, and ensure that scientific advancements benefit everyone equitably and responsibly,” she added.

Authors

Harry Taylor and Will Durrant are part of the political team at PA.