ClientEarth and Oceana in legal battle with spanish government over bottom trawling

Environmental NGOs ClientEarth and Oceana took the legal route against the spanish government, claiming that the issuing of new fishing licences for bottom trawlers within marine protected areas contradicts the country’s national and international commitments for ocean protection.

Even though the law requires assessments to be made on the impact of fishing on habitats and species, the government continues to overlook this responsibility, the NGOs claim. This endangers threatened species, habitats and ecosystems which are not only valuable in their own right, but are also critical in sustaining fishing stocks and serving as means of climate change mitigation. According to the claimants, the MPAs are designated as such for specific ecosystem and environmental issues, and not properly protecting them against proven destructive practices, such as bottom trawling, is not only irrational but also in breach of conservation law.

Spain, like Greece, has co signed to the 30X30 goal, obliging the country to protect at least 30% of tis waters by 2030 including a 10% of strict protection. Protecting MPAs, managing fisheries in a sustainable manner and properly managing the Natura2000 network falls under the obligation of both countries under the EU Biodiversity strategy for 2030. 

The issue of bottom trawling and MPAs remains extremely relevant in Greece, with the greek president pledging to outright ban bottom trawling within MPAs by 2026, a target that has yet to be achieved and has only met a 20% policy progress as evidenced by the We Sea You 2d year progress report.