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Respond to the consultation

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Are you sure? We'll let you know how you can help when nature is under threat if you choose 'Yes'

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Photo Credit- Cuttlefish, Paul Naylor

Respond to new plans to protect our seas

The Government is considering a ban on bottom trawling in 41 offshore Marine Protected Areas in England. This is a great step forward BUT we need your help to ensure a ban is implemented effectively.

Please respond today – tell the Marine Management Organisation (MMO), who are running the consultation and Minister Hardy that you support measures to ban bottom trawling in seabed Marine Protected Areas, and these must be put in place as soon as possible. This consultation now closes on the 29th September.

Bottom trawling is a fishing method used to catch fish and other seafood. The 41 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been designated to protect the seabed. But allowing bottom trawling in these areas makes a mockery of this designation.  

This hugely destructive process drags heavy chains across the seabed, bulldozing fragile marine habitats. As the chains are dragged along, indiscriminately capturing and even killing marine life in its path, carbon is released from the seabed. This fishing method is often used to catch just one or two species of fish but many other sea creatures are caught up in the nets. Over three quarters of what’s caught is thrown away.  

The impacts are under the waves - but out of sight can't mean out of mind anymore.

“If we save the sea, we save our world. After a lifetime of filming our planet, I’m sure that nothing is more important.” Sir David Attenborough 

You can help today.

In his latest natural world film, Ocean, Sir David Attenborough has thrust this story onto the world stage. Together we can stop this destructive activity in seabed Marine Protected Areas.  

Use our form to send an email to the MMO as a response to the consultation. We’ve drafted out most of the key points so you can focus on adding your own words to two important open questions:  'why bottom trawling should be banned' and 'Would a ban on bottom trawling on offshore seabed MPAs benefit you?'  

You can check and amend your email before its sent.  We know that personal responses to questions like these make a really big impact, we suggest keeping to around 300 words. Your email to the consultation team will also be copied to the Minister responsible for our seas.

When you’re ready, click ‘View your email’, to check it before sending. 

Why is a ban important?>

Properly protected MPAs allow nature in our seas to recover. MPAs safeguard wildlife and habitats from damaging activities. They also provide benefits such as safeguarding carbon, and supporting fish stocks. Sir David Attenborough's latest natural history film, Ocean, has shone a light on the horrendous impact bottom trawling has in the sea, but also the potential for marine life to recover when bottom trawling is stopped. 

Which questions do I need to answer?>

You can help by answering just two of the questions:

1. Why should bottom trawling should be banned in seabed Marine Protected Areas?

2. How would a ban on bottom trawling in seabed Marine Protected Areas benefit you?

This will help the MMO consultation team understand your views.

Your response will be sent directly to the MMO and Minister Hardy. The response to the MMO is classed as a consultation response. The Wildlife Trusts will be submitting a full consultation response to the MMO and answering all the technical questions.

For more details about the consultation, visit the MMO's website.