Appeal

Urge the EU Commission to Ban Destructive Fishing in Protected Waters

38,759 signatures. Let’s get to 50K

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

Lucy L

We need to protect the future of our oceans. Fishing is not a sustainable practice and profit must not come before our planet.

3 hours ago

Nancy K

we have got to leave safe places for all life to survive.

8 hours ago

Denise L

to keep waters clean

20 hours ago

Taylor M

we need to protect all being on earth

20 hours ago

BEN J

Humans have to finally realize that WE HAVE ZERO RIGHT TO DESTROY OUR CHILDREN'S PLANET! And especially not for profit!

1 day ago

Elizabeth A

Please fan desctuctive fishing in the protected waters in the EU. A a homeowner in France, and owner of a manufacturing company which does a ton of b…

1 day ago

Jasmin S

i wanna save all the beautiful and magical animals in the ocean

1 day ago

alex p

the earth needs help and humans need to get involved

1 day ago

Bas K

the consequences can no longer be overseen, needs to be stopped

2 days ago

Sandra H

The fishing industry *needs* to change.

2 days ago

Jean M

We need to take any actions that is necessary to protect every living thing in the ocean and on land

2 days ago

Victor R

I love fish! They are so beautiful in their immense diversity!

2 days ago

Tommy O

Tommy OBrien

2 days ago

Thomas W

renewable food is important

2 days ago

Jemima D

protecting the oceans is everyone’s responsibility, if we dont protect them then we will destroy them, and be responsible for the loss of so much biod…

2 days ago

Courtney C

There are already proven sustainable ways of fishing that are more beneficial to both people and our oceans. Bottom trawling is a short-term and unsus…

3 days ago

Satu K

Situaton is very serious.

3 days ago

Patricia B

We need to clean up all sources of danger and pollution on our land, waters, air. we are destroying everything and everybody.

3 days ago

Kina C

We have a moral duty to protect this beautiful planet that perfectly sustains life.

3 days ago

Carol H

we must stop destroyed the ocean and adding more GHGs to our atmosphere.

3 days ago

Emma W

This form of mass fishing is destroying our vital ocean ecosystems.

3 days ago

Emma G

we must protect our oceans

3 days ago

Jillian H

We need to do more in order to protect the planet from extinction.

3 days ago

Tessa S

I think that it is extremely important that we protect our waters and the ecosystems that we are all dependant on and should be encouraging the revita…

3 days ago

Miklen R

Our oceans are in trouble and must ge protected.

3 days ago