Appeal

Urge the EU Commission to Ban Destructive Fishing in Protected Waters

65,821 signatures. Let’s get to 75K

with Oceana and Seas at Risk

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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

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.

13 hours 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.

1 day ago

Miki H

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

2 days ago

Jessica D

I care about marine life.

3 days ago

Elizabeth S

animals need orotections from himan greed!!

3 days ago

Maria G

I want to protect her species

3 days ago

Brandy L

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

4 days ago

Margaret R

because this is important!

4 days ago

Bonnie W

protected waters should be just that

6 days ago

Clare C

its a no brainer. I want my grandchildren to inherit a healthier planet than my kids.

6 days ago

Tammy S

we need clean water for our own survival

6 days ago

Brenda L

I live on this planet like every living thing. and our water and land is are God given right ‘s

6 days ago

Beverly P

I am signing because I have seen this first hand, and our marine creatures are in distress as a result of over-fishing and plastic pollution - it is t…

6 days ago

Terri M

it is so disturbing to see the lack of respect towards nature, life and habitat, and our given resources shown by these practices. its unethical.

6 days ago

Linda P

the future of this planet is being undermined, there will be no future for our great grandchildren

6 days ago

Kimberly S

Our Oceans and Seas are Very Important, not just to me, but to the entire Earth and People, And All the Living Creatures that Depend on it to survive.

1 week ago

Kimberley M

i care

1 week ago

Jozy D

I am signing because I dont want to have to grow up in a world that looks like wall-e. I want animals to be able to live in their own world without dy…

1 week ago