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Marine Protected Areas (Bottom Trawling) Bill

A Bill to regulate and limit the practice of bottom trawling in marine protected areas, and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Last Updated

4 May 2022

In Plain English

AI-generated

The bill aims to tighten rules on bottom trawling inside marine protected areas to safeguard seabed habitats and wildlife. It would create a regulatory framework to limit or ban certain bottom-trawling activities, including licensing, zone designations, and enforcement measures.

Key Points

Introduces restrictions on bottom trawling within marine protected areas to protect sensitive seabed habitats and species.
Establishes licensing or permit requirements for bottom trawling in MPAs.
Introduces zone-based rules, including possible full bans in some areas and limits in others.
Provides enforcement powers, offences and penalties for breaches, and systems to monitor compliance.
Allows designation or adjustment of MPAs or protections as new scientific evidence emerges.

Progress

The bill is currently at the second reading in the House of Commons; after this, it would move on to detailed scrutiny in committee.

Who is affected?

Bottom trawl fishers and fishing vessel ownersFishing businesses, crews and local coastal communitiesMarine protected area managers and government regulatorsMarine scientists and conservation organisationsThe general public benefiting from healthier marine ecosystems

Generated 21 February 2026

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Marine Protected Areas (Bottom Trawling) Bill

2 Mar 2022

The 2021-2022 session of Parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.

Documents (1)

Bill 263 2021-22 (as introduced)

BillCommons

15 Mar 2022

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.

Marine Protected Areas (Bottom Trawling) Bill | TrackPolitics