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Marine Protected Areas: Bottom Trawling

Asked by Dr Al PinkertonLiberal DemocratDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 13 November 2024UIN 13315

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if his Department will take steps to ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas.

Answered by Emma Hardy

It is essential to manage bottom trawling in our Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) appropriately due to the significant damage it can have on protected seabed habitats. 60% of England’s MPAs have bottom trawling restrictions already. The department is considering next steps in the context of our domestic and international nature conservation obligations and how we consider, and work with, the fishing industry as part of this.

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