A number of NGOs, including Bloom, Only One, Blue Marine Foundation, Tara Ocean Foundation, Environmental Justice Foundation and Seas At Risk, have formed a new ‘Protect Our Catch’ coalition (https://aeur.eu/f/fcx ) to obtain a ban from the European Commission on bottom trawling in marine protected areas (MPAs).
A letter (https://aeur.eu/f/fcw ) to this effect has been sent to the Commissioner for Fisheries, Costas Kadis. He is asked to take “swift and meaningful” measures to resolve the problem of bottom trawling in MPAs, which is deemed “incompatible with existing EU laws”.
The NGOs also believe that the future ‘Oceans Pact’ should guarantee the implementation of the Marine Action Plan “in all its dimensions”, in particular the gradual elimination of bottom trawling in marine protected areas. According to the NGOs, the pact should also comply with the Habitats Directive to ensure that MPAs are truly protected and free from destructive practices such as bottom trawling (see EUROPE 13564/9). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)