Government Announces Proposed Ban on Bottom Trawling in 41 Marine Protected Areas - Angling Trust response

The Angling Trust welcomes the UK Government’s landmark announcement to ban bottom trawling across 41 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in English waters – covering an area of more than 30,000 square kilometres.

This bold commitment, unveiled by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs at the UN Ocean Conference in France, represents a vital step towards safeguarding vulnerable seabed habitats from the damaging impacts of bottom trawling. It marks a significant milestone in the global ambition to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.

For many years, the Angling Trust has called for stronger protections and enforcement to ensure our Marine Protected Areas are more than just lines on a map. This announcement is a major campaign win for our community and a signal that government is finally prepared to back words with action when it comes to ocean protection.

The proposed ban will help protect sensitive habitats and species that are essential to the health and resilience of our seas – and to the future of sustainable fisheries and coastal communities. These areas are home to nursery grounds, spawning sites, and complex habitats that support abundant fish life, which in turn provide the foundations for thriving sea angling opportunities.

Still Work to Do

While this announcement is a breakthrough, it is not the end of the road. The proposals must now go through a formal public consultation before they can be implemented.

The Angling Trust will be prioritising this next phase by working with our members, stakeholders, and the wider sea angling community to ensure these protections are delivered in full and without delay. We will continue to fight for healthy, productive seas that support sustainable recreational fishing for generations to come.

Hannah Rudd, Marine Policy & Research Manager at the Angling Trust said:

“This is a huge moment for our seas and for sea anglers. For too long, bottom trawling has been allowed to operate in areas designated for protection. The Angling Trust has been, and continues to be, clear that bottom-trawling should not be permitted in Marine Protected Areas. We now need to see these proposals turned into action, and the Angling Trust will be doing everything it can to ensure they are delivered on the ground. Healthy seas are essential to thriving fish populations, and this move will benefit not just nature, but also sea anglers across the country who value vibrant marine life and sustainable fishing. While much of the focus is on offshore MPAs, it’s vital that protection from bottom-trawling is also given to inshore sites. The Angling Trust alongside the sea angling community is leading the charge to protect our seas.”