Marine Protected Areas (Bottom Trawling) (England) Bill

A Bill to prohibit the practice of bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas in England; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Sponsor

Katie WhiteLabour (Co-op)

Parliament last updated

13 May 2026

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

This Bill would ban the practice of bottom trawling inside Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in England. By removing bottom trawling from MPAs, it aims to protect seabed habitats and the wildlife that depends on them, with related measures to support the ban.

Key Points

Prohibits bottom trawling within Marine Protected Areas in England.
Aims to protect seabed habitats and marine wildlife by removing a damaging fishing method from MPAs.
Includes related measures to support the implementation and enforcement of the ban.

Who is affected?

Commercial fishermen and fishing fleets that operate bottom trawling within England's MPAsFishing communities and businesses linked to bottom-trawling (owners, crew, suppliers, processors)MPA managers and enforcement authorities responsible for applying the banMarine conservation organisations and environmental groups involved with MPAs (as stakeholders)

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingCommons

21 Jan 2025

2nd readingCommons

29 May 2026

Committee stageCommons

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

1st readingLords

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

Royal Assent

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Marine Protected Areas (Bottom Trawling) (England) Bill

22 Jan 2025

This Private Members' Bill was withdrawn by the Member in charge on 9 September 2025 and will proceed no further.

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.