A coalition of eleven environmental organizations, including ClientEarth and Oceana, has launched a coordinated legal strategy to force EU member states to end bottom trawling in marine protected areas. Despite existing nature laws, the European Environment Agency (EEA) reports that 93 percent of Europe’s marine ecosystems are affected by multiple human pressures, with 79 percent of the coastal seabed physically disturbed, mostly by bottom trawling.
Why are environmental groups taking legal action now?
Environmental groups argue that the European Union possesses some of the strictest nature laws in the world, yet enforcement remains inconsistent. According to the coalition, which includes the Blue Marine Foundation, Seas At Risk, and Germany’s BUND, the current practice of allowing bottom trawling—where heavy nets are dragged across the seabed—in protected Natura 2000 sites renders conservation rules ineffective. By shifting from individual complaints to a unified European strategy, the coalition aims to create a wave of legal accountability that targets non-compliant governments directly.
The Dogger Bank, also known as ‘the nursery of the North Sea,’ recently became the site of a Dutch court ruling against unpermitted bottom trawling, which activists hope to replicate across the bloc.
How does the current legal conflict work?
The coalition’s strategy centers on pressuring the European Commission to open infringement proceedings against non-compliant governments. A year ago, members of the group filed formal complaints against France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Spain for permitting destructive fishing in protected Natura 2000 sites. ClientEarth ocean lawyer John Condon described the current situation as giving national fleets a “carte blanche” to damage marine habitats. While the Commission has yet to act on those specific complaints, the coalition is now reframing their argument to align with the current Brussels political priority of reducing red tape. They contend that a blanket ban on bottom trawling in all protected areas would simplify compliance for fishers and lower monitoring costs for authorities.
What is at stake for European nature laws?
The push for enforcement comes at a critical time for EU biodiversity targets. The EU has pledged to protect at least 30 percent of its seas by 2030 under its own biodiversity strategy and the global Kunming-Montreal framework. However, the European Commission is currently evaluating the Birds and Habitats Directives—the two pillars of EU nature law. Campaigners express concern that this review process could be used to weaken existing protections rather than strengthen them. The coalition’s upcoming work focuses on advancing pending legal cases and fostering collaboration between scientists and lawyers to initiate further litigation.
Comparison: Policy vs. Practice
| Metric | Status |
|---|---|
| EU 2030 Protection Goal | 30% of its seas |
| Current EEA Ecosystem Pressure | 93% affected by multiple human pressures |
| Coastal Seabed Disturbance | 79% (mostly by bottom trawling) |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is bottom trawling? It is a fishing method where heavy nets are dragged across the seabed.
- What are Natura 2000 sites? These are protected areas where bottom trawling is still permitted in many cases.
- Why haven’t the infringement proceedings started yet? While formal complaints were filed by environmental groups a year ago, the European Commission has yet to act on those complaints.
To stay updated on the progress of these legal cases, monitor official updates from the European Commission and the legal filings published by organizations like ClientEarth.
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