Bottom Trawling Ban UK: Plan to Protect Marine Life: The UK government wants to stop bottom trawling in some of the most sensitive parts of the sea. Bottom trawling means pulling heavy fishing nets across the seabed. This can damage the ocean floor and hurt sea animals. On 9 June 2025, the government shared a plan to stop this fishing method in 41 special sea areas. These areas are called Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The change would protect about 30,000 square kilometres of sea. A public consultation is now open to get feedback from people and businesses in the fishing industry.
What the Government Is Planning
Environment Secretary Steve Reed said bottom trawling harms marine life and habitats. He warned that without action, the damage to the oceans could be permanent. The government wants to ban this type of fishing in the most fragile areas.
Right now, about 18,000 km² of the seabed is already protected. If this plan goes ahead, it would increase protected zones to about 48,000 km². These areas include underwater sandbanks, mud, and coral gardens. These places are important for fish and other sea animals to grow and live. The goal is to help the seabed recover so nature can come back stronger.
Why It Matters for the Environment
Bottom trawling can destroy coral reefs and sea plants. It also scares or kills animals that live on the seabed. The government believes that banning this practice in MPAs will help the ocean recover. A healthy seabed means more sea life, and even helps store carbon, which fights climate change.
Here are some key reasons for the ban:
- Protecting habitats: The ban would save delicate areas like coral beds and sea mud from being ruined by nets.
- Saving sea animals: Lobsters, clams, langoustines, and soft corals will be safer and have time to grow.
- More sea life: Less damage means more food and shelter for fish and other marine species.
- Helping the planet: Undisturbed sea mud helps trap carbon and slows climate change.
Nature groups are happy about the plan. Joan Edwards from The Wildlife Trusts said it’s a big step in the right direction. She said it would protect both animals and the carbon stored in the seabed. Hugo Tagholm from Oceana UK also welcomed the idea. He said the ban could give England’s seas a chance to heal and become stronger.
What It Means for Supermarkets and Seafood Suppliers
This new plan might affect how seafood gets to UK supermarkets. Bottom trawling is used to catch fish like scampi and plaice. These fish are sold in many stores. If trawling is banned in more places, some fishing boats might have to change how or where they fish.
Seafood could become harder to catch in the short term. Prices might go up. But many supermarkets already promise to sell only sustainable seafood. This ban supports that promise. It can help supermarkets show they care about the planet.
Some environmental groups say it’s time for shops to stop selling fish caught by bottom trawling. They say the practice is harmful, even if the label says “responsibly sourced.” This ban may push supermarkets to choose better fishing methods, like pot or creel fishing.
In the future, healthier seas could mean more stable fish numbers. That’s good news for fishers and food stores. Supermarkets can use this moment to show customers they support cleaner, safer ways to get seafood.
What Happens Next
This ban is part of a bigger effort by the UK to protect the sea. The government wants to protect 30% of ocean areas by 2030. This ban would be a big step toward that goal. The consultation on the plan runs from 9 June to 1 September 2025.
At the same time, the UK is also helping protect oceans around the world. It is giving £4 million to a global coral reef fund and £2.8 million to support clean ocean economies in island nations.
After the consultation ends, the government hopes to quickly make the ban official. The goal is to protect marine life for future generations.
If this plan goes ahead, it will help protect sea life, fishers, and the planet. It also gives supermarkets and suppliers a chance to support sustainability and show leadership in protecting our oceans.
