Ecological legal professionals express enthusiasm over another European Court decision upholding restrictions on bottom trawling
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Deep-Sea Fishing Ban Upholded by EU Court, Paving Way for Ocean Protection Facebook Twitter Flipboard Send Reddit Linkedin Messenger Telegram VK Bluesky Threads Whatsapp
The EU's General Court has maintained a ban on deep-sea fishing in sensitive Atlantic areas, securing these regions for marine life conservation.
This ruling implies that these areas will remain off-limits, aiding in the preservation of vulnerable species and ecosystems. The court's decision follows its previous ruling in a German case last month, which held that Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) must not be compromised by bottom trawling.
Separate lawsuits were filed by the Spanish government and fishermen from Galicia and Asturias, who disputed a 2016 EU regulation that disallowed fishing with nets and longlines in 87 sections of the Atlantic along the shores of Spain, Ireland, Portugal, and France.
Preserving Ocean's Hidden Gems
The regulations were enacted by the EU to safeguard fish populations in the deep sea and shield marine life from destructive fishing equipment.
The measures prohibit controversial bottom trawling below 800 meters in these regions of the north-east Atlantic. Species found deep in the oceans, like alfonsinos, black scabbardfish, roundnose grenadier, red seabream, and certain shark species, are easily devastated because they are sensitive to fishing and grow slowly.
The court acknowledged that the decision to protect these areas aligned with EU law. It stated that the 87 areas were chosen based on the "demonstrated or demonstrable presence of protected species." Due to the fragile nature of these areas, it said that officials were exempt from assessing the permissibility of some kinds of fishing equipment or the economic impact on fishermen.
The court's decision empowers the European Commission to relentlessly utilize scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea to secure future conservation areas.
Environmental Lawyers Celebrate Victory
Lawyers from environmental organization ClientEarth believe this ruling could influence the outcome of other bottom trawling-related legal cases in the EU.
"The overwhelming evidence of the devastation wrought by widespread, repetitive bottom trawling cannot be ignored any longer," says ClientEarth ocean lawyer Francesco Maletto.
"We are thrilled to witness the EU's General Court uphold the principles of legal protection once again, ensuring the safety of these oceanic regions from further damage, and securing thriving populations of marine life."
ClientEarth, alongside other organizations, have brought legal action against several national governments as well as complaints to the EU itself concerning the negligence in addressing harmful fishing within MPAs. As of now, no EU country has a definite roadmap to cease bottom trawling in areas designated for protection.
Following shocking footage of bottom trawling from David Attenborough's Ocean documentary, calls for action have intensified. Some initial commitments to restrict the practice have emerged from the UN Ocean Conference, with the UK and France vowing to tackle the issue.
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- bottom trawling
- regulation
- Ecosystem
- Ocean conservation
- The court's decision to uphold the deep-sea fishing ban could have significant implications for the environmental-science field, as it paves the way for the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems in the north-east Atlantic.
- The success in safeguarding these deep-sea regions could serve as a precedent for future renovable-energy projects, as it demonstrates the EU's commitment to preserving the environment and mitigating climate-change.
- With the increasing focus on ocean conservation and the switch to renewable-energy sources, the finance sector must step up its sustainability efforts to support the industry's transition and ensure the health of our planet for future generations.
