UK Proposes Expanded Bottom Trawling Ban in Marine Areas

    UK Proposes Expanded Bottom Trawling Ban in Marine Areas
    Above: A crew onboard a fishing trawler brings in their catch on May 21, 2025 in Hastings, England. Image copyright: Dan Kitwood/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

    The Spin

    Left narrative

    This ban represents crucial action to save marine ecosystems from devastating destruction. Bottom trawling bulldozes the seafloor with weighted nets, indiscriminately destroying delicate habitats that took decades to develop. The economic benefits alone justify this decision, with projected net gains of billions over the years through enhanced environmental protection and boosted fish populations.

    Right narrative

    The fishing industry has operated sustainably and successfully for over a century without destroying sensitive seabed features that exist today. Trawling barely penetrates sediment in most areas and provides essential livelihoods for coastal communities. This rushed decision ignores the industry's expertise and will force the industry to switch to more carbon-intensive forms of fishing.

    Metaculus Prediction


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