Keir Starmer's government under fire for inaction (Image: Getty/Oceana)

       Britain's vulnerable marine protected areas suffered over 20,000 hours of suspected bottom trawling last year, campaigners have warned. Several countries were responsible for the suspected trawling, with French vessels assigned to 55% of the tracked hours and UK vessels 19%.

       Oceana, which did the analysis, said the remaining fishing was split into small shares between a wider group of states. Alyx Elliott, campaigns director of Oceana UK, said: “Bottom trawling is devastating our seas. Across our ‘protected’ havens for nature, weighted nets are clear-felling the forests of the ocean and butchering our marine wildlife wholesale.

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       “The UK currently has the worst of all worlds: the illusion of protection masking ongoing destruction. Unless the government takes action, our marine protected areas will remain a sham.

       “Last year, shadow Environment Secretary Steve Reed claimed that if elected he would act to stop this destruction - so what's the delay? Our seas need more than empty promises.”

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       Only 38 of the UK’s 377 MPAs are fully protected by law from destructive bottom trawling, Oceana UK’s report The Trawled Truth said.

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       Satellite tracking data shows that offshore MPAs alone suffered over 20,600 hours of suspected bottom trawling in 2024.

       Dr Emma Sheehan, associate professor of marine ecology at the University of Plymouth, said: “Safeguarding marine protected areas from bottom trawling and dredging would have wide ranging and substantial benefits for society.

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       It would help boost marine biodiversity and the abundance of commercial species inside and outside these areas, as well as helping to mitigate climate change.

       “Banning trawling across the entirety of these sites, rather than for limited features, is especially important, since it would allow these ecosystems to rejuvenate, rather than maintaining the current poor condition.”

       Bottom trawlers are large, fuel-intensive vessels that drag heavy metal gear and nets – often weighing several tonnes – across the seafloor, indiscriminately hoovering up sea life and effectively bulldozing marine habitats.

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       Almost all seabed habitats around the UK are currently categorised as “poor status”, with bottom trawling identified as the main pressure.

       A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokeswoman said:“Our precious marine animals and habitats have been under threat for too long.

       “This government is committed to protecting and restoring our oceans to good health. This includes banning destructive bottom trawling where it is damaging protected seabed habitats.”

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