Appeal

Urge the EU Commission to Ban Destructive Fishing in Protected Waters

71,823 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

Michael C

Ecosystem destruction needs to stop and only activities that produce no harm should be instituted, past and present.

12 hours ago

Tracy F

we need to consider the impact we are having on protected waters

1 day ago

Jessica C

I am signing because we need to protect our innocent animals from abuse and extinction

1 day ago

jenna h

The oceans sustain us, if we are responsible and only take what we need and protect certain areas, animals and biodiversity will thrive alongside us.…

2 days ago

Jaleh H

once again folks are doing it wrong , take to much there hurting the environment while there doing it . there has to be a better practice. you don't…

2 days ago

Frances C

i am in New Zealand in the Pacific whre destructive fishing practice is at it worst - bottom trawling and reversing improvements fought for very rece…

5 days ago

Dianne L

because if the ocean dies, so do we all!!

6 days ago

Katie M

We need to preserve our marine life and habitats before its too late

1 week ago

Catherine B

I am against trawling, we all know we need to change the way we operate in order to help the planet

1 week ago

Sabrina C

I am blessed to have the heart to care.

1 week ago

Joyce R

THE SENSLESS KILLING OF ALL THE MAMMALS FISH AND ANIMALS IS SO EVIL WRONG WE ARE STARVING OUR PLANET AND WATERS BECAUSE OF IRRISPONSIBLE FISHISHING N…

1 week ago

Sam Z

The sea is protected. Stop your stupidity and give-a-damn.

1 week ago

Linda M

I care about animals and their welfare. It seems like we need to do more to protect them.

2 weeks ago

Heidi B

because we need to leave nature alone qnd respect all creatures

2 weeks ago

Daria R

I don't want to live on a planet with a dead ocean.

2 weeks ago

Anthony P

WHY ARE OUR PROTECTED WATERS BEING DESTRUCTIVELY FISHES FOR PROFIT. PROTECT OUR WATERS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS YOU GREEDY CAPITALISTS

2 weeks ago

Teresa H

I care about ocean life and the part it plays in the ecological balance of nature.

2 weeks ago

Sonja R

so many reasons and you know them all!

2 weeks ago

Ethan N

All of the sea creatures no matter any waters deserve thier world to cleaned and made safe for all the life. People need to awaken and start thinking…

2 weeks ago