Petition
Ban Bottom Trawling in all of the UK's Marine Protected Areas
Rejected
9 signatures
What the petition asks
We call on the Government to ban bottom trawling in all of the UK's Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Bottom trawling represents a highly destructive fishing practice in which weighted nets are dragged across the seabed, indiscriminately killing all types of sea life.
Despite their designation, bottom-trawl fishing persists within the majority of MPAs. Enforcing robust protections is essential to ensure that these areas fulfil their purpose—supporting the recovery of rare, threatened, and ecologically important habitats and species in UK waters.
Despite their designation, bottom-trawl fishing persists within the majority of MPAs. Enforcing robust protections is essential to ensure that these areas fulfil their purpose—supporting the recovery of rare, threatened, and ecologically important habitats and species in UK waters.
Why it was rejected
There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.
The following petition calls for a similar action:
Ban Trawling in All Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in UK waters
Ban Trawling in All Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in UK waters
Ban Trawling in All Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in UK waters
Ban Trawling in All Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in UK waters
Timeline
| 18 May 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 16 Jun 2025 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
9
Status
Rejected
Rejected
16 Jun 2025
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 1 Sep 2026.