Bottom Trawling: EU Countries
(asked on 20th April 2026) - View Source
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce bottom trawling by EU vessels in UK waters.
Answered by
Baroness Hayman of Ullock
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
This question was answered on 28th April 2026
Bottom trawling is restricted for both UK and EU vessels where it damages sensitive habitats such as in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Around 60% of the 181 MPAs in England restrict damaging fishing activities such as bottom trawling already and last year we consulted on proposals to restrict bottom trawling in a further 41 MPAs. Results are currently being analysed.