Written Question·Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs·UIN 118879
Marine Protected Areas: Bottom Trawling
Tabled: 9 March 2026
Answered: 16 March 2026
Question
Fleur Anderson
Labour — Putney
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what amount of bottom-towed fishing has taken place since June 2025 within each of the 41 English offshore marine protected areas subject to public consultation in summer 2025.
Answer
Emma HardyWhile the Marine Management Organisation can record data on gear type in MPAs as it did for the 41 English offshore marine protected areas consulted on in summer 2025, this takes significant time to compile and quality‑check.