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Marine Protected Areas: Bottom Trawling

Asked by Sir Oliver DowdenConservativeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 4 February 2026UIN 109568

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will prohibit bottom-towed fishing gear in all 41 Marine Protected Areas.

Answered by Emma Hardy

The consultation on the latest round of proposed fisheries byelaws, which proposes further restrictions on bottom trawling in 41 of England’s offshore Marine Protected Areas, closed on 29 September. The Marine Management Organisation is now carefully considering all responses received, and decisions will be made in due course.

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