November 29th, 2023

Scientific studies reinforce the sustainability of bottom fishing

Yesterday, the European Parliament held a landmark conference titled “Is bottom fishing in the EU sustainable? A new perspective under the European Commission’s Action Plan”. Hosted by the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and rapporteur of this file, Niclas Herbst (EPP, DE), the event brought together leading scientists on seabed habitats and bottom fishing, along with representatives from the Commission, key stakeholders from the fishing sector and civil society. Scientists presented the latest research on bottom trawling sustainability, compatibility with Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and trade-offs between the environmental impact of fisheries and food self-sufficiency. EBFA once again urged the European Commission to incorporate all relevant scientific findings into its policy-making, including the action plan, and to refrain from cherry-picking scientific data to advance its own agenda.