Marine Protected Areas (Bottom Trawling) Bill [HL]

This bill aims to restrict or ban bottom trawling, a fishing method where heavy nets are dragged along the seabed, within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) around the UK. Bottom trawling damages seafloor ecosystems, destroying habitats and biodiversity that take decades to recover. The bill would create enforceable protections for these designated marine areas, preventing commercial fishing vessels from using this destructive method in these zones. This represents a targeted environmental protection measure focused on preserving marine ecosystems rather than banning fishing entirely.