Oceana Map

Civil society organisations are launching a campaign to stop bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs). A new report launched by Oceana, Seas at Risk and Marine Conservation Society with maps by Only One has found that bottom trawling takes place in 90% of EU offshore MPAs. The organisations call on the EU to take tougher action against EU countries that still allow this technique in their MPAs, a practice that must be phased out by 2030. Bottom trawling is a fishing method that involves one or more boats pulling heavy fishing nets along the ocean floor. It is very destructive, as it results in ecosystem loss, the release of carbon stored in the seabed, and high levels of bycatch. Learn more HERE.