Home / Environment / Greenpeace Blocks Trawlers With Boulders
Greenpeace Blocks Trawlers With Boulders
3 Nov
Summary
- Nine boulders were dropped to create a barrier against bottom trawling.
- Greenpeace claims 116 sq km of the Southern North Sea MPA is now protected.
- The action was a last resort after years of unsuccessful political engagement.
Environmental campaigners from Greenpeace have deployed nine boulders off England's east coast, creating a barrier to disrupt bottom trawling activities. The action took place over the weekend near the Norfolk coast, within the Southern North Sea Marine Protected Area (MPA).
Greenpeace claims this initiative has effectively closed 116 sq km (45 sq miles) of the MPA to bottom trawling, a practice involving dragging nets along the seabed that can harm underwater vegetation and marine life. The organization stated this was a last resort after years of advocating for stronger marine protections with the government.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has responded, stating that all activities at sea must be conducted lawfully and with regard for other sea users. Defra also noted that damaging fishing activities are already banned in over 100 Marine Protected Areas across England.
This action follows a similar event in 2022, when activists dropped 18 boulders off the coast of Cornwall. At that time, the Marine Management Organisation expressed disappointment, deeming the action unjustified and unlikely to aid marine protection.
