Appeal

Urge the EU Commission to Ban Destructive Fishing in Protected Waters

34,175 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

Luz C

I'm horrified that I have to sign a petition to enforce protections that are already in place. C'mon! What is wrong with people? Do the right thing an…

1 hour ago

Amy G

all animals need protected, or they all gonna be extinction

5 hours ago

Nan M

there is no planet B

5 hours ago

anne-alexandre A

C'est important pour moi de faire ce que je peut pour défendre les causes qui me semblent justes, même si ce n'est pas énorme, c'est toujours une gout…

10 hours ago

Paula S

The future deserves fish & clear water

11 hours ago

Deborah W

we ALL MUST PROTECT THENOCEANS AND MARINE LIFE

11 hours ago

Derien C

fishing is a hobby that I believe everyone should be able to enjoy. However, when I see the damage that has been done by large scale commercial fishin…

13 hours ago

Mary B

all fauna and flora are valuable in their own right. The earth is not a resouce and commodity to be destroyed just for human control

14 hours ago

Nyla H

ocean life needs to be protected

17 hours ago

Helen P

one chance to give our children a future

19 hours ago

andrew s

Biodiversity is crucial for all ecosystems to thrive. Ending destructive fishing in protected waters can be a good step in allowing nature to heal.

1 day ago

Julie M

there are not more fosh in the sea- we must protect our waters and oceans and the animals that live there. otherwise there will be empty oceans

1 day ago

Rev. Matthias A

TIME IS RUNNING OUT REAL QUICK ! ! ! ! ! !

1 day ago

Stefano S

it’s just a non-sense and a crime against nature

2 days ago

Patricia V

This is a wreckless practice destroying marine life.

2 days ago

Debra C

this is cruel and I don't approve.

2 days ago

Heidi N

heidi nielsen

2 days ago

Pheadra M

the coral reefs need to be protected

2 days ago

Elaine B

We humans need to start cleaning up the mess other greedy stupid arrogant rich owners and operators of filthy industrial businrsses are causing in our…

3 days ago

Riana M

Too many fisherman, too many fishing nets : save our oceans from over - exploiting

4 days ago

Maebh O

This is our planet, we shouldn't be destroying it. The creatures we are hurting did nothing to us. Where, and how, will the younger generations, inclu…

4 days ago

Tonya M

we only have one planet and we need to protect it’s resources

4 days ago

Eron C

I’m tired of destruction

4 days ago

Delphine G

stop destructing the planet!

6 days ago

Brit N

We as humans don't have God given authority to make the whales compete with us for food not do we have authority to pollute the ocean and kill it's in…

6 days ago