Environmental NGOs Oceana and ClientEarth are filing legal action against the Spanish government after finding that bottom trawling is taking place in many MPAs in Spain, which they maintain violates EU and national conservation law.
Oceana and ClientEarth said EU law forbids damaging human activities in certain marine protected areas (MPAs) and the Spanish government is flouting those laws by systematically allowing bottom trawling in MPAs in its Atlantic and Mediterranean waters.
These areas have been designated for protection because they contain vulnerable seabed ecosystems and are also home to iconic and protected species such as loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and other marine mammals, they said, adding that they are vital ecosystems that can contribute to fighting climate change and help restore lost biodiversity and fish stocks.
According to ClientEarth marine conservation lawyer Francesco Maletto: “These areas are meant to be protected as they’re essential for biodiversity and climate protection. EU rules are in place to ensure their protection. But Spain is violating the law by allowing destructive bottom trawling in these areas. By doing so, they’re putting the most vulnerable habitats and wildlife under real threat. We’re taking the issue to court to ensure that ‘protected’ truly means ‘protected’.”
Oceana’s Senior Policy Advisor in Europe Michael Sealey stated: “We are taking the Spanish government to court for decades of inaction on marine protected areas. The European Commission set the objective of banning bottom trawling in MPAs by 2030, but progress is too slow. We have no other choice but to use judicial powers to enforce EU law and protect what needs to be protected. We call on the new von der Leyen Commission to ban destructive fishing in all EU MPAs now, and to position the EU as a global champion on ocean protection.”
Earlier this year, both NGOs filed administrative requests to demand that Spain repeal two resolutions authorising trawling in the Spanish MPAs in question. They have received no response, so they have now escalated the claim by filing a lawsuit with the Audiencia Nacional in Madrid.
The NGOs are also calling on Spain to establish a plan for a fair transition towards a long-term sustainable fishing model for the affected fishermen.
Last month, ClientEarth filed a separate lawsuit against France for allowing bottom trawling in Mediterranean MPAs. Oceana, ClientEarth and Seas At Risk are also supporting other legal cases in Germany and the Netherlands.
Greece and Sweden have announced they will ban or strongly restrict bottom trawling in their MPAs, and Scottish government has proposed bottom trawling bans in 20 MPAs.
