The European Commission decides to protect 16,000 km2 of vulnerable marine ecosystems

In the Atlantic, they draw an almost continuous line which starts from the north-west of Ireland to join the south-west coasts of France, then runs along those of Spain and descends to the end of Portugal: this are the 87 areas that fishing trawlers will now have to spare. Their common point is to shelter fragile ecosystems at depth – cold-water coral reefs, seamounts and faults, all of which are precious habitats for marine fauna. Trawls, dredges, gillnets, longlines, pots and traps: as soon as they scrape the bottom, all these fishing gear considered the most destructive, are now prohibited there. These are thus 16,419 km²or 1.16% of the Community waters of the North-East Atlantic, which are sheltered.

Read also Article reserved for our subscribers Bottom trawling denounced as the worst fishing technique

“We are keeping our commitment to protect and restore marine life,” welcomed Virginijus Sinkevicius, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. He announced that this decision, adopted on Thursday 15 September will apply soon, twenty days after its publication in the official journal of the European Union (EU).

The 87 areas to be closed have been carefully selected on the advice of scientists from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, based on the richness and vulnerability of their ecosystems, but also in order to “disturb fishing activities as little as possible “. They have also been negotiated at length with Member States, environmental NGOs and the fishing industry. While thanking this professional sector for the efforts it has made, Mr. Sinkevicius underlined that: “Our oceans and our fisheries depend on healthy marine ecosystems (…) It is our duty to our society, to future generations and especially to those whose livelihoods depend on marine resources. »

Read also: Article reserved for our subscribers The “One Ocean Summit”, a summit to address the suffering seas and oceans

“Surprised by France’s decision”

The initial perimeter of protection was a little wider, but it bit into the British space: Brexit therefore reduced the new deal. However, the 87 areas selected together represent 17% of the area between 400 meters and 800 meters deep in European Atlantic waters. Why not lower? Because beyond this depth, fishing has been prohibited in the EU since 2016. The new provisions actually complement the regulation on fishing access to deep waters.

You have 47.8% of this article left to read. The following is for subscribers only.