The government has declared that a prohibition on a “destructive” kind of fishing dragging big nets along the seaflower should apply across English waterways.
The proposal would widen the restriction on bottom trawling from 18,000km2 to 48,000km2 (about 18,500 sq miles) of the UK’s offshore areas now under protected designation. The scheme is under industry consultation for twelve weeks.
Under concerns from Sir David Attenborough that bottom trawling is killing sections of the seabed and marine life, a UN Ocean Conference starts in France today.
More nations, including the UK, should ratify a convention allowing a third of world waterways to be under protected zones by 2030, the conference’s main aim is for.
Covering 41 of England’s 181 MPAs, the government’s proposed extension would safeguard uncommon marine life and the fragile seafloor these creatures depend on.
It claims to have conducted thorough studies on the damages done to habitats and animals.
Environment Secretary Steve Reed declared “without urgent action our oceans will be irreversibly destroyed”.
Running until September, a 12-week consultation will seek the opinions of the fishing and maritime sectors.
Head of oceans at Greenpeace UK Ariana Densham remarked on the consultation as “ultimately a long-overdue completion of a process started by the previous government”.
The Wildlife Trust said it hoped the protracted restriction will be implemented “rapidly”.
“Win-win for both nature and the climate,” said Joan Edwards, director of policy and public affairs for the trust.
More nations ratifying the High Seas Treaty at the Ocean Conference in Nice is also fueling pressure.
Two years ago, 193 nations signed the convention agreeing to set 30% of world oceans under protection.
Along with advocating a moratorium, he and his colleague President Rodrigo Chaves expressed worry over deep sea mining.
“The ocean is not for selling. We are discussing a common shared good, President Macron stated. “I believe it is insane to start predatory economic activity that will disturb the deep sea, so upsetting biodiversity and destroying it.”
He was referring to the April decision taken by President Trump to start granting licenses for deep sea drilling in order to hopefully find key minerals.
This runs counter to a ten-year worldwide negotiation aimed at reaching consensus on how any deep sea resources might be distributed. At the time, China termed the action a “violation” of international law.
More than 2,000 marine specialists advise that deep sea drilling should be temporarily halted until more study is conducted to grasp the possible effects on ecosystems.
