Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Marine Protected Areas (Bottom Trawling)

01 March 2022 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Chris Grayling Con Breckland

Environment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Chris Grayling raised concerns about marine protected areas (bottom trawling) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Moves to regulate and limit bottom trawling in marine protected areas are under consideration.
  • Current regulations allow bottom trawling in most marine protected areas despite their protected status.
  • The debate highlights the need to reverse habitat degradation and address carbon emission challenges.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Chris Grayling Con Breckland

Moves to regulate and limit the practice of bottom trawling in marine protected areas, highlighting growing consensus on protecting natural habitats. Criticises current regulations which allow bottom trawling in most marine protected areas despite their designation as protected zones. Emphasises the importance of reversing habitat degradation and carbon emission challenges posed by bottom trawling, advocating for stricter protection measures to align with international commitments.

Other contributors (1)
  • Chris Grayling Con Breckland

    Proposes a Bill to ban bottom trawling in marine protected areas within 12 months of Royal Assent, with limited exemptions for small-scale fisheries based on habitat evidence. Points out the current inadequacy of protection despite MPAs covering about one-third of UK waters, and highlights the need for transformative stewardship of seas post-Brexit.

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