The European Commission is urging member states to ban destructive bottom trawling in marine protected areas by 2030.
In its recently released fisheries package, the Commission sets out a vision for marine protection, sustainable fisheries management and decarbonisation of the sector.
Brussels-based NGO, Seas at Risk, has welcomed the EC’s focus but calls for a swifter response to harmful practices.
“It is reassuring to see the Commission calling for a just transition to low impact fisheries, and acknowledging bottom trawling is a technique belonging to the past,” said Andrea Ripol, senior marine policy officer at Seas at Risk.
“However, as member states have been ignoring their environmental commitments, we count on the Commission to swiftly enforce the rules and propose new legislation to make sure bottom trawling and its disastrous impact on marine life is stopped once and for all.”
‘Inaction plan’
Seas at Risk is also calling for tougher action on by-catch. “The Commission’s proposed rules on preserving sensitive species from incidental catches turns today’s Action Plan into an Inaction Plan,” said Christine Adams, fisheries policy officer at Seas at Risk.
“When member states fail to minimise incidental catches of sensitive species, the Commission must be determined to use its power to make sure dolphins, whales and sharks are duly protected, as required by legislation.”
