Introduce targeted coastal trawling bans to protect ecosystems & reduce erosion
We call on the Government to establish 0–6 nautical mile exclusion zones for bottom-contact fishing in key UK coastal areas. We think this will allow kelp and seagrass recovery, strengthen natural defences like saltmarsh and dunes, and reduce coastal erosion and flood risk sustainably.
Signatures
65
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 65/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 65/100,000
- 23 MAR 2026Petition opened for signaturesCreated by John McVeigh
Background
Seabed disturbance from bottom trawling can increase turbidity, destabilise sediments, and undermine nature-based defences. There is evidence showing passive recovery after trawling bans outperforms planting alone, protecting coasts at lower cost than repeated restoration or hard-engineered defences. We think targeted bans will benefit ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal communities while adapting to climate change.