Appeal

Urge the EU Commission to Ban Destructive Fishing in Protected Waters

58,130 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

sergio b

im signing because is import for us as human to understand the protecction of our ocean and make it better for future generations

14 hours ago

Cynthia E

I want this to stop. marine life needs to be protected.

17 hours ago

Elizabeth U

Our Oceans and Ocean life need to be protected.

17 hours ago

Svenja W

If the oceans die so are we.

22 hours ago

Cheryl J

we should keep the oceans clean and safe for all creatures and ourselves

23 hours ago

Janee B

why do you think????!!!! I hope uncaring human beings find themselves in the same positions as these creatures. find themselves in the same positions…

1 day ago

tawnie c

Tawnie Castro

1 day ago

Melanie D

WE ALL NEED EACHOTHER

1 day ago

Stephanie C

I care about the future of our planets and our ocean.

1 day ago

Angelia L

it's the right thing to do. I am signing because the animals can't speak up for themselves. We are supposed to care for them and we are failing. Human…

1 day ago

Teresa H

I'm tired of our earth not being taken care of!

1 day ago

Angelica H

I care about the few ecosystems we have left, it is not fair that greed keeps destructing what keeps us all alive. wee need to find a balance

1 day ago

Kenneth B

we need to stop fishing the oceans

2 days ago

Ashley M

i want to save the plant

2 days ago

Aisha M

I want the fish to live in protected waters. They ahould follow rules like the rest of us

2 days ago

Bonnie P

i care about the future of our planet and all its creatures

3 days ago

Tammy R

I care about the environment and the animals that live in it.

3 days ago

Peter R

I care about living things on the Earth, especially if we are ther cause of their drmisr.

3 days ago

Julia S

our children deserve a beautiful place to live.

3 days ago

Wendy W

we need to protect all animals and creatures of the sea and land in air

3 days ago

Lisa S

Protect the water!!

3 days ago

Cristina F

We need to protect our animals and wildlife. After all this time and it's the same old thing. Where are you people stepping up for these animals and b…

3 days ago

Madisson G

i can about the wildlife in the oceans

3 days ago

Mirella M

Noone really pays much attention to this stuff because we don't live in there or arnt here for long but we could have been found an alternative for th…

3 days ago

Melinda T

im born and raised and still reside in Titusville Florida i grew up on our local beaches and this is a major issue and needs to change

3 days ago