French pressed to ban bottom trawling

The NGOs say that allowing trawling to continue in these sites that harbour vulnerable protected habitats undermines the sites’ integrity and is contrary to French and European Union law. They also insist it threatens the long-term sustainability of fisheries.

If the formal request is not acted upon, it will be followed by legal action before French courts, said EJF and DMA. 

They advise the request targets the deterioration of marine habitats caused by bottom trawling in two MPAs, Chausey and Bancs des Flandres. 

“While France has made significant commitments on paper, the reality is that destructive bottom trawling continues unchecked in many of its protected areas,” said Steve Trent, EJF CEO and Founder. “The laws are clear, and the science is unequivocal – bottom trawling is incompatible with marine protected areas. France must act now to ensure that these vital protections are more than lines on a map. These areas need to be truly protected, and that means an immediate halt to bottom trawling in them all.

While the request focuses on two MPAs, the situation within these areas is representative of the government’s general failure to implement existing laws, the NGOs say. 

“France and other EU member states have the legal framework in place to protect their marine ecosystems. What’s missing are adequate measures to make it work in reality. We hope this legal action will spur the French government to take swift action to end destructive fishing in its protected areas,” said Philippe Garcia, President of DMA. “By respecting the law and ensuring a fair and equitable transition to more sustainable activities, France and other EU member states can keep the promises they’ve made both to their own citizens and to the international community.”