Appeal

Urge the EU Commission to Ban Destructive Fishing in Protected Waters

69,950 signatures. Let’s get to 75K
with Oceana and Seas at Risk

What You Need to Know

Bottom trawling is one of the world’s most destructive fishing practices. By dragging weighted nets along the ocean floor — some up to 240 meters wide — bottom trawling devastates coastal habitats, kills marine life indiscriminately, and depletes fish stocks. Just as bulldozing a forest destroys an ecosystem that has taken centuries to grow, bottom trawling decimates the seabed in a single motion, scraping up coral reefs and any other life in its path. 

Shockingly, bottom trawling is still permitted in some of Europe’s most fragile underwater ecosystems even though they have been designated as marine protected areas (MPAs). 

Explore where bottom trawling is damaging Europe’s protected waters

Map

What’s the Issue?

Bottom trawling is responsible for more than 90% of discarded fish in the EU and accidentally ensnared and killed turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. This harmful practice not only threatens Europe’s fish stocks but also the livelihoods of low-impact fishers and fisheries across the continent. In the Mediterranean, for example, 58% of all fish stocks remain overfished, largely because of bottom trawling, which makes it nearly impossible for low-impact fishers to keep up. By banning bottom trawling in MPAs as a starting point, marine life can recover, and we can preserve the low-impact fishing traditions that many communities depend on.

Bottom trawling is a destructive fishing practice that drags heavy nets across the ocean floor · Greenpeace
Dragged nets crush, tear up, and entangle delicate reefs, destroying natural habitats
The nets can accidentally trap turtles, dolphins, and other marine life, leaving them to die · Greenpeace
Bottom trawling gear is responsible for 93% of reported discards in the EU (1 million tonnes between 2015-2019) · Greenpeace
Low-impact fishing is more sustainable, but bottom trawlers exploit and deplete fish stocks, leaving little for local fishers

Campaign goals

We’re urging the European Commission to take action. It has the power to: 

Hold leaders accountable

Oversee the EU Marine Action Plan, which calls on EU Members to submit roadmaps to ban bottom trawling in protected waters.

Support fishers

Promote sustainable fisheries and fishing practices that support marine conservation efforts.

Protect MPAs

Strengthen the management and enforcement of existing marine protected areas.

Why your voice matters

Public pressure can drive change. By raising our voices together, we can demonstrate public demand for immediate action to protect the ocean. Your support is critical in safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations, ensuring sustainable fisheries, and promoting biodiversity.

Cover Photo: Umeed Mistry | Ocean Image Bank

Learn more about this campaign

Join the Movement to Ban Bottom Trawling in Europe’s Protected Waters

Campaign
Supporters
Jess S

Because if people who are passionate about the ocean don't try to protect it, there will be nothing left.

1 day ago
Allison C

I am signing because our planet's health is vital to our societal success and our oceans are at the top of the list for urgent action and protection.

5 days ago
Antoinette K

these areas were set up to help preserve future fishing, if you let commercial fishing they will strip the sea bed and reduce fishing number's for fut…

5 days ago
R S

it’s cruel

6 days ago
Emilia F

Destructive fishing in protected waters needs to be stopped. Harming the environment for our own selfish needs is unacceptable.

1 week ago
Jessica C

Everyone and everything needs a healthy ocean!

1 week ago
Jacob L

i believe ocean creatures have a right to live in peace

1 week ago
Gillian W

It is time to stand up for this world and all she gives us. all it takes for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.

1 week ago
Julie R

Waters that are protected for a reason..The Oceans are being raped and pillage now do the Right thing and look after our Oceans .

2 weeks ago
Jack W

So many sea animals are being put in danger due to reckless fishing and destroying their homes and environments. Not only that but it's illegal and am…

2 weeks ago
peter c

because i want to protect my planet

2 weeks ago
Karen G

we need to preserve fish stock and the habitats of ocean creatures

2 weeks ago
Sonia J

because i want to protect our environment and its wild life

2 weeks ago
Maarten W

if the EU doesn't do the right thing, what hope is there for the rest of the world?

2 weeks ago
Annette L

I care for the life in seas and oceans

2 weeks ago
Christine C

we need to act before it is too late.

2 weeks ago
John M

I FIRMLY FEEL THAT THE SEAS AND ICEANS NEED TO BECKEANED UP AND TO BE KEPT CKEAN FIR THE WILD LIFE OF OUR PLANET.

2 weeks ago
Linda R

All our animals deserve a safe place to live.We need to stoping taking there homes away from them, they deserve safety.

3 weeks ago
Miki H

the current practises the fishing industry uses drives countless species into exctinction and decimates natural habitats beyond regonizition, renderin…

3 weeks ago
Jessica D

I care about marine life.

3 weeks ago
Elizabeth S

animals need orotections from himan greed!!

3 weeks ago
Maria G

I want to protect her species

3 weeks ago
Brandy L

what is being done ro the oceans and the beautiful creatures that live in it is a heinous act against life.

3 weeks ago
Margaret R

because this is important!

3 weeks ago
Bonnie W

protected waters should be just that

3 weeks ago
Add your name
Share this campaign
May 8, 2023
Article

We work with over 60 world-class experts and partners.

Informed by a diverse roster of experts across multiple disciplines, our work is always in partnership with other non-profits and often takes place at the crucial eleventh hour — after years, or even decades, of work by others in the sector and beyond. We couldn’t be more grateful for the guidance and leadership of these experts and our partners.

Featured experts

Jennifer Howard

Vice President of Conservation International, Board Member of Only One

A leading international scientist, Jennifer focuses on implementing scalable mechanisms to conserve ocean ecosystems as a means to protect vulnerable coastal communities, combat climate change, and conserve biodiversity.

Angelique Pouponneau

Policy & Strategy Advisor to the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States

A lawyer and ocean and climate advisor in the Seychelles, Angelique holds an LLM in Environmental Law specializing in the law of the sea and natural resources. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Law and is a policy and strategy advisor on ocean and climate matters to the Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States.

Inka Cresswell

Wildlife Filmmaker, Marine Biologist, Social Influencer

Fighting to change the way we interact with the natural world, Inka’s award-winning work educates and inspires a new generation of conservationists, arming them with the tools they need to spread awareness and drive real impact for the planet.

John Weller

Photographer, Writer, Filmmaker, Senior Fellow of Only One

An acclaimed photographer, filmmaker, and writer, John has worked in defense of the ocean for nearly 20 years. He helped lead the global campaign to secure the world’s largest marine protected area in the Ross Sea, Antarctica.

Kalina Grabb

Sea Grant Knauss Fellow in Marine Policy at the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program, Ph.D. from MIT-WHOI Joint Program

A chemical oceanographer who focuses on coral reef health and immunity, Kalina is passionate about using science to inspire, inform, and impact the conservation of our ocean and coastal communities.

Shawn Heinrichs

Photographer, Conservationist, Co-Founder of Only One

Fueled by his passion for the ocean, Shawn fuses dramatic imagery with intimate and thought-provoking stories to connect the global community to threatened marine species and habitats.

Sian Owen

Director of the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition (DSCC)

Sian has led the global strategy and coalition coordination for the DSCC since 2011. Her role draws on decades of experience building and managing transcontinental, complex multi-disciplinary teams to deliver on global social, economic, and environmental policy goals.

Ted Janulis

Founder & Principal of Investable Oceans

Ted has served in various executive positions, including CEO, at financial institutions involved in capital markets, banking, and asset management over a 30+ year business career. The ocean has been one of Ted’s passions since he was young, including a life-changing year after graduating from college with the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society.

Featured partners

  • Alfred Wegner Institute

  • Anatarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition

  • Avaaz

  • Becht Foundation

  • Beyond Plastics

  • Bloomberg Philanthrophies

  • Blue Nature Alliance

  • Blue Ventures

  • The Builders Initiative

  • Break Free From Plastic Coalition

  • Center for Biological Diversity

  • CleanHub

  • Common Seas

  • Comms Inc.

  • Conservation International

  • Coral Gardeners

  • Coral Vita

  • CREMA Costa Rica

  • Deep Sea Conservation Coalition

  • Eden Reforestation Projects

  • Environmental Advocates NY

  • Fins Attached

  • Galapagos Conservation Trust

  • Greenpeace

  • High Seas Alliance

  • Humane Society International

  • MAC3 Impact Philanthrophies

  • Malpelo Colombia

  • Marine Conservation Institute

  • Migramar

  • Mission Blue

  • National Ocean Protection Coalition

  • Oceana

  • Ocean Unite

  • Oceans 5

  • Operation Rich Coast

  • Oxygen Project

  • Pacific Remote Islands Coalition

  • PADI

  • The Pew Charitable Trusts

  • Plastics For Change

  • Plastic Solutions Fund

  • Pretoma

  • Rare

  • RISE UP

  • Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation

  • Seas at Risk

  • Seaspiracy

  • Shark Conservation Fund

  • Shark Stewards

  • Stand For Trees

  • Stop Finning EU

  • Sungai Watch

  • Surfrider Foundation

  • Sustainable Ocean Alliance

  • The Leatherback Project

  • Unidos Por Los Tiburones

  • United Conservationists

  • Unless

  • Waterbear

  • Wetlands International

  • Whale and Dolphin Conservancy

  • Wildlife Conservation Society

10 free trees if you sign up today

Save the planet every month with our membership

Grow your own forests and reefs

Remove plastic and carbon pollution

See your impact in a personal dashboard

Invite friends to plant with you

100% of funds go to projects